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"The first step is believing in it. Both us and the fans have to do it. We have to play with great courage and passion – while of course keeping a clear head – and give our all right to the end. We have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain," said Xabi Alonso at the pre-match press conference on Monday afternoon.
Jonathan Tah provided a brief review of last week: "Of course, it wasn't great. But the two lost games act as incentive and motivation to win again. At first you feel frustration but then it's about turning the negative energy into positivity and intensity on the pitch. We are ready and can't wait for tomorrow!"
FC Bayern have never before given away a three-goal lead from the first leg in a European competition. Bayer 04 have come back from a 3-0 defeat in the first leg: In the final of the UEFA Cup in 1988 it was 3-0 to Bayer 04 after extra time in the second leg. Black and Reds won the penalty shootout 3-2 to lift the UEFA Cup. The game was like a film. Tah: "I probably wasn't even planned at the time. (He laughs) But obviously I know the history. It could be a special game tomorrow too. It will be a huge challenge but we're happy to take it on."
And Alonso, who was 3-0 down with Liverpool in the Champions League final against AC Milan but went on to win in the end (3-3 a.e.t., 3-2 on penalties, ed.), also believes going through is possible. "We've already achieved the apparently impossible once before. We became the unbeaten champions of Germany," said the Spaniard. And he added: "There's always everything to play for. Bochum showed that at the weekend for example when they were 2-0 down and won 3-2. Anything can happen after the kick off."
In tomorrow’s second leg, Alonso will have to manage without long-term injured players Jeanuel Belocian and Martin Terrier as well as Nordi Mukiele, suspended after being sent off in the first leg, plus Florian Wirtz (ligamenmt injury in right ankle). "I'm very sorry for Flo, he was on good form. Now is the moment to show we are a complete team and can also win without him," said Alonso. Tah added: "Now it's the best test to prove that we can compensate for something like that as a team. Everybody is aware how important he is but we have to deal with it. We will play for him tomorrow as well so that he can still play in the Champions League this season when he comes back."
There will be a full house at the BayArena with 2,000 away fans expected from Munich. The second leg in the Round of 16 will be shown live on Prime Video. In addition, Werkself Radio will broadcast live from the BayArena 30 minutes before kick-off.
The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed France U17 international Kenan Doganay. The 1.90-metre-tall defensive midfielder, who has Turkish roots, joins Leverkusen from the U19s at French top-flight club Olympique Lyon. He will initially train with and play for the U19 team.
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The Sports Tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) has fined Bayer 04 Leverkusen €185,000 for spectators setting off pyrotechnic devices during a total of five competitive matches. This relates to four Bundesliga matches and the DFB Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich. The highest individual fine relates to the away match at FC Köln at the end of April.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 goalkeeper Simeon Rapsch. The Germany youth international goalkeeper has signed a long-term contract with the Werkself running to 30 June 2029. The 18-year-old joined Leverkusen from FC Viktoria Köln in the summer of 2024.
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