Xabi Alonso: "It will be a difficult game for both sides. Breast have a clear idea of how they want to play football. They have big hunger and desire to win every game." But the Spaniard also stressed: "But we don't want to change our style of play because of that but instead remain true to ourselves. We want to continue the run we started in Rotterdam. Tomorrow's game is very important."
Martin Terrier also sounded a warning about the opponents: "They had an outstanding season last term. This season has been more difficult for them in the league and they've lost four games. But they are performing better in the Champions League. They've rediscovered their former strength there. So we shouldn't underestimate them."
The new signing, who played for Stade Rennes from 2020 to 2024, has never scored at the Stade de Roudourou. "But I've never lost here either," joked the Frenchman. Alonso added: "Of course, we want that to continue tomorrow."
Terrier also talked about his move to the Bundesliga in the summer: "I've been able to settle in quickly, the lads made it easy for me. I've tried to listen to my teammates a lot and learn from them. It’s similar on the pitch as a lot of players interpret their position in different ways."
The Frenchman was initially surprised by the intensity in the Bundesliga: "The intensity is the big difference to Ligue 1 – both in the games and in training. I have to admit that it also impressed me at first. Even the teams in the bottom third of the table play in that style and want to score goals. It's not like that in France."
750 Werkself fans will be at the game. Alonso almost has a full squad to choose from. Only Victor Boniface has stayed in Leverkusen after his car accident: "It's a purely precautionary measure. He's doing well physically but we want to rest him. Following the accident it's primarily about Victor Boniface as a person and not as a player. It was a serious matter and a shock for the two of them and us all. They were lucky. Things like that can happen to anybody at any time. We'll see how he is when we get back."
U19 player Francis Onyeka, who was awarded the Fritz Walter medal this week, is in the squad. Alonso on the youngster: "We have great hopes for him but we obviously need to be patient. He’s come closer to the team with the last training sessions. I'm happy for him that he is able to gain Champions League experience."
Bayer 04 are back at the BayArena! Under the slogan “One day. Two teams. One club.”, the Leverkusen stadium grounds will be transformed into a world of experiences – with a wide range of exclusive activities both on and off the pitch. Keep track of all the highlights in our blog for the 2026 season launch.
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Kicking off the new season with a fresh look: Bayer 04, in collaboration with sportswear manufacturer New Balance, has unveiled the official kit for Leverkusen’s e-Sports players for the coming season. The jersey is now available from the Bayer 04 online shop and the Fanwelt.
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Paulo Sergio and Bayer 04 have enjoyed close ties since the Werkself training camp in his native Brazil last summer. The club legend is in charge of the Bayer 04 Soccer Academy, which opened in the summer of 2025, and he has also been at this year’s training camp in the Weimarer Land. As well as interacting with the many fans who travelled to the camp, the 1994 World Cup winner used the time to plan the next steps for the Academy together with club officials. In an interview with bayer04.de, Sergio spoke about the project’s future development, the upcoming visit by young Academy players to Leverkusen, and plans for the coming months in Germany and Brazil.
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A round-up of the Werkself training camp in the Weimarer Land, all in one place: in our daily blog you’ll find all the insights and updates from the day. Day five (Thursday 6 August) is as follows: The squad have the final open session of the training camp in the morning. After lunch, there will be a team event.
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When Afonso Moreira arrived for his interview with bayer04.de, he had to take a deep breath first. Asked how the morning session had gone, the 21-year-old replied with a slight smile: “Tough. Intense.” That’s really sums up the workload for the Werkself so far at the training camp in the Weimarer Land region. Head coach Carles Martínez and his team demand hard work, team spirit and the determination to improve every day. Those are values Moreira wholeheartedly identifies with – and the Portuguese player has not only taken them to heart, but also permanently noted in the form of a tattoo.
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