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“The first leg last week was very tough for us. Qarabag will fight again tomorrow, and we have to do the same till the end,” said Alonso at Wednesday’s press conference. According to the Spaniard, the Werkself need “the right balance between stability and tempo in our own game” up against Azerbaijan’s champions. “We need to give everything on the pitch. And if we do that, then we’ve got a better chance of progressing.”
Alonso is also looking forward to the knockout match: “I love games like this where it’s all or nothing. They’re always special and can have an electric atmosphere. But we can’t be too emotional in how we do things tomorrow.” Stanisic also stressed at the press conference: “The appeal is perhaps a bit higher than normal in decisive games like this. If things go badly, we’re out and there’s no chance to put it right. But I’m confident we’ll go into the game with focus and feel well prepared. We won’t underestimate Qarabag and want to give our best, like in every game.”
The Croatia international has started eight times out of 11 competitive fixtures in 2024. “I’m more pleased with my playing time than at the start of the season. I had to adapt, but I think I’ve done that well. We’re a team. We wouldn’t be where we are right now, in all three competitions, without every individual player and a big squad.”
Visitors Qarabag have two key players back for the second leg after Julio Romao and Elvin Jafarguliyev served suspensions in Baku. Alonso added about the Azerbaijanis: “Qarabag have a good squad and good players. We need a convincing performance and the full support of our fans.”
The Spaniard also confirmed to the media that Matej Kovar will again start on Thursday. The Czech goalkeeper wasn’t in the squad to face Wolfsburg on Sunday due to a muscular issue but is ready for Qarabag. “Matej has told me he’s 100 percent fit, so he’ll play,” Alonso reported.
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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