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Alonso’s excitement ahead of such a huge fixture was evident from the start. “The DFB Pokal is a special competition. We have special memories of last year. Tomorrow’s tie is a top game for both sides. It’s almost like a final and the biggest challenge in the cup. We’ll approach it positively and fight for our chance.”
Speaking of the opposition, Alonso said of his former club: “We know how tough it is to play in Munich. They’re definitely always favourites at home. They’re showing that right now in every competition. They play at high speed, with lots of pressing and also good counter-pressing.” According to the Spaniard, it means his team will need a “complete performance”, adding, “Obviously we’ll need to be ready to defend deeper sometimes. That’s normal against such an opponent. But not always. We definitely want to press and play with the ball.”
Alonso will have two more players at his disposal in Munich, with forward Martin Terrier and defender Jeanuel Belocian both fit again and ready to play. “It’s really important for us to have more energy as the game wears on and to have more possibilities to be decisive. We’re pleased both are back,” he stated.
The 43-year-old also had words of praise for Patrik Schick following his run of six goals in the last four games. “He’s not just done well in terms of his goals lately but also done a lot of other things right, sometimes against tough defenders. He’s in top form now. We’ll need that again tomorrow,” Alonso confirmed.
Some 5,000 Leverkusen fans will be inside the Allianz Arena to support the DFB Pokal holders as they look to reach the quarter-finals.
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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