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"It's a match against a big team in the history of football. AC Milan are a top side with a lot of individual quality. They have dangerous players who work well together on the pitch. Therefore, we will need to produce our best performance levels and play with high concentration as usual," said Xabi Alonso at the press conference on Monday afternoon..
Defender Jonathan Tah said full of anticipation for the game: "Games in the Champions League are always a challenge. We will be tested at the highest level – and that's exactly what we want."
While the Werkself started the 2024/25 Champions League campaign with a 4-0 victory, the Rossoneri lost 3-1 at home to Liverpool. AC Milan had a mediocre start in the league with two draws and a defeat. That has since been followed by three league wins in succession including the derby against champions Inter Milan (2-1) and a 3-0 victory against Lecce last Friday.
In response to a question of his assessment of AC Milan, Alonso said: "We expect high game intelligence. They are prepared to defend deep but they can also dominate possession. We have to be prepared for any situation." Tah added: "Italian sides are a difficult opponent for many teams. They have a particular style of play and defend very well. We will need to be very patient."
The match against AC Milan is the first home game in the Champions League for the Werkself in two years following the game for the Black and Reds against Club Brugge. Asked about Bayer 04’s progress since then, Tah said: "A lot has happened. We have undergone an incredible development as a club and the coach has had a big influence on that. We'll never say that we are completely happy. We will always keep working and try to improve from game to game."
Alonso revelled in memories for a moment. As a player with Liverpool, the Spaniard secured his first Champions League title against AC Milan in one of the most memorable finals in the tournament. Liverpool came back from 3-0 down with Alonso equalising by converting a saved penalty to put the Reds through to a penalty shoot-out, which they went on to win. Alonso said about the magical evening against AC Milan: "It was one of the most important games in my career and an incredible night. It's a great memory but the focus for us is on the here and now."
Alonso again has a full squad to choose from tomorrow. Other good news: 30,210 fans will watch the match at the stadium tomorrow - the BayArena is sold out. 2,000 AC Milan fans are expected to follow their team to Leverkusen.
The game will be broadcast live on DAZN. In addition, Werkself Radio will also cover the match as usual.
To all Bayer 04 fans: The Fanwelt will be closed all day next Monday 30 June. This is due to preparations for the change of kit supplier from Castore to New Balance on Tuesday 1 July.
Show moreThe Norway U23 international Julie Jorde has completed the move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Brøndby IF. The twelve-time champions of Denmark have signed the midfielder on permanent terms after her loan move from the Bundesliga to Denmark in the winter.
Show moreIt is almost two years since Bayer 04 new signing Abdoulaye Faye first stepped foot into the BayArena as a player for the Swedish club BK Häcken in the opening match in the 2023/24 Europa League campaign. A day before his nineteenth birthday, the central defender did not play in the 4-0 win for the Werkself but it was "an incredible night" for him on 21 September 2023 as he explained in his first interview on bayer04.de. "I watched the players and saw the fans. I liked it." It was also the first European night early on in his career. He only joined the then champions of Sweden in the cold north of Europe from his home in Senegal a few weeks before that special moment. Bayer04.de profiles our new defender.
Show moreWelcome, Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old Senegalese central defender joins Leverkusen from top-flight Swedish club BK Häcken. In his first interview he talks about his move to Bayer 04 and his targets with the Werkself.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the Senegalese central defender Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old joins the Bundesliga side from Swedish top-flight club BK Häcken. Faye has penned a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2030.
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