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“The mood is better today than yesterday. We have discussed everything as usual, we have to be professional and focus on the next game,” said Xabi Alonso at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. “Today we had our first and last training session in preparation for tomorrow. We are ready!“
Asked about the rhythm of the weeks with midweek matches and the Bundesliga games in between two Champions League clashes Alonso said: “We’re used to that so it shouldn’t be a problem for us. We need fresh legs and clear heads regardless of the individual competition. We want to go flat out in every game.”
Looking back at the 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture in Bremen, where the Werkself gave away the lead on 90 minutes at the end of October, Alonso declared: “We need more energy and more clarity for this return fixture.”
The long-term injured players Jeanuel Belocian and Martin Terrier plus Robert Andrich, as in Munich, will not be available. Alonso: “He still has flu and doesn’t feel better yet.” With Edmond Tapsoba nothing is standing in the way of 90 minutes on the pitch.
In this home game against Werder Bremen in front of a full house at the BayArena it is again a Bayer Sports Family matchday. There will numerous events on the concourses with the Bayer sports clubs and Bayer AG providing a special backdrop. The programme of events start when the stadium opens at 13:30 CET with a wide range of highlights on offer.
Sandwiched between their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off tie against Olympiacos, Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action on Saturday with a trip to Union Berlin (kick-off: 15:30 CET). It’s a fixture of contrasting styles, with Leverkusen preferring to control the play while Union look to remain compact and counter. The Berliners are therefore suited to facing top teams, but they have only ever managed to win one of 16 meetings with the Werkself, who are looking for a fifth clean sheet of 2026 but will need to beware the home side’s threat from set pieces. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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After six wins in seven games, the Werkself will be looking to continue their winning run in the capital at FC Union Berlin. Coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke ahead of the match on Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET) about defenders, the short preparation time and the condition of the pitch at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
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Union Berlin have performed particularly well against the top clubs in the Bundesliga this season with a draw at home to Bayern Munich and wins against VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig. This Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET), the Irons now welcome the Werkself, currently sixth in the table, to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. And the hosts are in desperate need of a win. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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It took exactly 60 minutes for the Werkself to take the lead through a perfectly finished counter-attack by Patrik Schick in the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-off at Olympiacos. Referring to the meeting in the league phase and the initially squandered opportunities, coach Kasper Hjulmand said afterwards: "I thought: 'Oh no, déjà-vu.'" But after the opening goal, it took just 144 seconds for the Czech to spark more wild celebrations among those in black and red in the Greek cauldron, when Schick nodded in Alejandro Grimaldo's corner. Much to the delight of the Bayer 04 fans, his teammates and his coach, who had warm words for the striker in the aftermath. The Werkself Review.
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