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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.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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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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