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."
Bayern Munich come to the BayArena this Saturday with an 11-point lead in the Bundesliga as they look to take a step closer to the title. As imperious as they may seem, a weakness has emerged of late that the Werkself proved they can exploit in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the Champions League. Leverkusen are also looking to make it four Bundesliga home games unbeaten against the Bavarians. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the 15:30 CET kick-off in our matchday news.
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Another home game, another top opponent - another marker? Three days after their convincing performance in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg, Bayer 04 continue their Bundesliga campaign with an equally high-calibre fixture. Matchday 26 sees league leaders Bayern Munich visit the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the clash, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about a comparison between Arsenal and the Bavarians, Bayern's high-scoring performance in Europe's premier club competition and a return to the squad for one Werkself player.
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High spirits and previously untold stories: Around 100 Bayer 04 fans packed the Schwadbud fan pub in the east stand of the BayArena on Thursday evening to be there in person for the first instalment of the new series of events entitled “Rudi lädt ein” (Rudi invites you). They listened intently as long-serving Werkself players Gonzalo Castro and Stefan Kießling chatted with record appearance-maker Rüdiger Vollborn and presenter and stadium announcer Tobias Ufer about their many years together at the club, shared amusing anecdotes and revealed dressing room secrets. Anyone who missed the premiere can already look forward to the second instalment – on 12 May, Rudi will be testing the expert knowledge of Bayer 04 fans during a quiz night.
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The Bundesliga home game against VfL Wolfsburg in the first half of the season was one of those classic ‘days to forget’ for Bayer 04 Women. It started with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll being shown a red card in the first minute of the game, and following a further sending-off, coach Roberto Pätzold's 9-women side ended up losing 5-1 to last season's runners-up. At 18.30 CET on Sunday, they'll have the chance to exact revenge at the AOK Stadium - and pick up valuable points in the race for third place.
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They're well on their way to becoming German champions for the 35th time and once again proved their incredible class in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. This Saturday, 14 March (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayern Munich will be the visitors to the BayArena. It'll be a meeting of the two Bundesliga teams with the most dominant styles of play. A look at our opponents shows the visitors from the Bavarian capital have many strengths - but are also vulnerable.
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