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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.
Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
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Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
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The German Football League (DFL) has shortlisted Martin Terrier’s scorpion kick goal against 1. FC Köln for the 2025/26 Bundesliga Goal of the Season. Bayer 04 fans can vote for their favourite goal via the Bundesliga app from now until Monday 25 May (23:59 CEST).
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Bayer 04 will be preparing young talents for a potential sporting career in an even more systematic way in future. The club is breaking new ground to help develop their academic, social and personal skills as well. With the ‘Haus der Talente' or 'Talent House’, Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH is creating a new centre for the development of young athletes in a central location in Leverkusen. Once completed – expected to be in the summer of 2027 – the project will be run in partnership with TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen e.V.
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