
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."

A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
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The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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