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The double season is behind us as Xabi Alonso looks forward. "Like all teams we are starting with no points. Last season's success does not give us anything for the new campaign," said the Spaniard at the pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon. "We have to start picking up points again and work hard to achieve that."
The Werkself will go into the first game of the new Bundesliga season with great anticipation and motivation. "It's special to play in an opening match. The stadium in Mönchengladbach is big, there will be a special atmosphere – also thanks to our many fans at the game," said Alonso whose team will have the backing of 5,000 supporters in a full away end at Borussia Park.
The last meeting of the Werkself and Borussia Mönchengladbach at the BayArena at the end of January ended goalless. The team under former Leverkusen head coach Gerardo Seoane adopted a more defensive approach back then. Alonso is not expecting the same on Friday night: "Above all in attack, they have signed new players like Tim Kleindienst (FC Heidenheim 1846, ed.). It will be a different game from the one at the start of the year."
Alonso is ignoring the fact the Werkself are seen by many pundits as favourites for this match and the new Bundesliga season ahead. The 42-year-old coach: "Those opinions don't mean a thing. For me FC Bayern are the favourites again this term. Our clear target is the top four. The first thing for us is to make a good start to the season. And I feel good about that."
Bayer 04 signed three new players in the summer in Aleix Garcia, Jeanuel Belocian and Martin Terrier. Alonso responded to a question about them as follows: "Their quality and mentality are top and they have taken our style of play on board. I'm happy with the squad and the players."
The question of whether any of the new trio will be in the starting line-up against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday night was left unanswered as was the choice up front between Patrik Schick and Victor Boniface. And the Spaniard did not want to give anything away about his choice of keeper: "The decision of whether Lukas (Hradecky) or Matej (Kovar) will start remains open – but you will see tomorrow night. It's also not a decision for the whole season and we'll see what happens. Both are ready."
After a run of seven games unbeaten in all competitions, the Werkself suffered a 1-0 defeat at FC Union Berlin despite their best efforts. Captain Robert Andrich, who took responsibility for the goal, said after the match: "Now we have to focus on not losing our heads even in difficult situations. That has always made us strong in the past." The Werkself review.
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Bayer 04 were beaten 1-0 away at Union Berlin on Matchday 23 in the Bundesliga. Kasper Hjulmand’s side struggled to create clear chances, while the hosts struck the only goal of the game through Rani Khedira in the 28th minute.
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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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