Back
31.10.2022Champions League

Club Brugge home game 'good time to turn things round'

The Werkself entertain Club Brugge on Tuesday 1 November (kick-off: 18.45 CET) – and a good result is needed for the chance to play in Europe in the New Year. In the sixth and final group match in the UEFA Champions League, head coach Xabi Alonso is looking to take his team above Atlético Madrid into third place and also secure "a victory for our morale" as midfielder Nadiem Amiri declared.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

"We want to stay in Europe and give our fans another international home game," said head coach Xabi Alonso at the start of the press conference on Monday afternoon. "Being in the Europa League is very important for the team, the fans and the whole club. We will fight and give our all."

The following permutations are possible for the Werkself to finish third in Champions League Group B: If Bayer 04 win then a defeat or a draw for Atlético Madrid in Porto would be enough to finish third and thereby qualify for the knockout rounds of the Europa League. If the Alonso team only pick up one point against Club Brugge then the Madrid team would have to lose at Porto for Bayer 04 to remain in Europe.

Xabi Alonso does not want to think about that during the game. The Spaniard: "I won't follow the other game. We have to look to ourselves and we want to win to have as big a chance of possible of being in Europe in the New Year."

Aránguiz out– Demirbay may play

In addition to Florian Wirtz and Sardar Azmoun, head coach Xabi Alonso will also have to manage without the injured Karim Bellarabi and Charles Aránguiz. Daley Sinkgraven is not registered for the Champions League and Piero Hincapie is serving a one-match ban. A decision will be made after the afternoon training session regarding a place in the squad for Kerem Demirbay who did not play in the last two matches.

Amiri: "important for the morale of the team"

Xabi Alonso was joined at the press conference on Monday afternoon by Nadiem Amiri who also fielded questions from the media. There was "obvious disappointment" at going out of the Champions League but the team will give everything to get a win against Club Brugge. "The match is a good time to turn things round," said the Werkself number 11.

crop_20221031_FS_CLPK_47549.jpg

In the intense Champions League match at Atlético Madrid (2-2) there was a lack of energy in the 2-0 defeat in Leipzig but the Werkself are ready for Club Brugge who have already qualified to the Round of 16 in the Champions League. Amiri stressed how important good recovery and lots of sleep is ahead of the game: "We are full of energy and we'll give our all."

Related News

Jubel von Sofie Zdebel
Women - 12.03.2026

February Goal of the Month: Derby stunner from Sofie Zdebel nominated

Sofie Zdebel is up for the Goal of the Month award for February on ARD-Sportschau. Fans have until 21 March (19:00 CET) to vote for the Germany U23 international's volley to make it 2-0 in the Bayer 04 Women's derby against FC Köln (2-1).

Show more
PerNaturam wird neuer Partner der Bayer 04-Frauen
Women - 12.03.2026

Feed manufacturer PerNaturam is new Bayer 04 Women’s team partner

Bayer 04 Leverkusen are further expanding their partner network: The feed manufacturer PerNaturam is an official sponsor of the Bayer 04 Womens team. The partnership opens up a wide range of opportunities for the company to position its brand in the Bundesliga environment.

Show more
Training beim Juniorinnen-Talenttag
Women - 12.03.2026

Junior talent day in spring: Open trials on 12 April

Do you dream of wearing the Bayer cross on your chest? To play in black and red like your role models Loreen Bender, Cornelia Kramer, Kristin Kögel and co. from the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga? Then take your chance now! Our female youth teams are once again on the lookout for new talent. That's why Bayer 04 are organising a talent day on 12 April 2026 for the first time this year with trials for female juniors.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #B04ARS
Champions League - 11.03.2026

Matchday news #B04ARS: Double reunion in Round of 16 first leg against flawless Gunners

Arsenal, one of the favourites in the UCL, visit the BayArena for the first leg in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16. Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie, two long-serving Bayer 04 players, are set to return to the BayArena for the first time since leaving the club. As part of the match against the Gunners, fans can look forward to exciting Sound of Dreams festival activities at the stadium. Club members can also secure another SoD Unplugged ticket for a chance to win a special prize. Today’s matchday news.

Show more
Die PK mit Hjulmand und Kofane vor dem Achtelfinal-Hinspiel gegen Arsenal | Achtelfinale UCL
Werkself-TV - 10.03.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #B04ARS: Full of anticipation for ‘one of the most difficult challenges’

A Champions League showdown at the BayArena awaits. On Wednesday night, 11 March (kick-off: 18:45 CET), the Werkself face Arsenal in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Ahead of the clash with the Premier League leaders, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the Gunners' exceptional strength at set-pieces, a returning striker and "believing in yourself". Forward Christian Kofane also spoke about the approach to the Round of 16 tie and congratulated his personal idol - whose previous success also motivates him for forthcoming challenges.

Show more