Back
4.03.2025Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #FCBB04: ‘Be competitive and get a good result'

Anticipation continually mounts with Bayer 04 back in Champions League action after just over a month. And this round brings the German versus German clash against FC Bayern. Ahead of the first leg in Munich on Wednesday, 5 March (kick-off: 21:00 CET), head coach Xabi Alonso and Granit Xhaka talked about the approach to the first Champions League meeting with the record champions.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

Two Bundesliga games without a win (1-1, 0-0) plus the 1-0 win for the Werkself in Munich in the DFB Pokal Round of 16: Bayer 04 and FC Bayern face each other for the fourth time this season on Wednesday night. Is the position in the Champions League different than in the previous matches on the domestic front? "Even if every game in the Champions League it's very special it is the same 90 minutes in the first and second legs in the end, perhaps a bit longer in the second leg, where we have to be very smart and achieve the maximum possible," said Granit Xhaka at the press conference in the Stadium in Munich on Tuesday night..

The Werkself have now gone six games without defeat against FC Bayern across competitions and there has never been a defeat in a clash with the record champions under Alonso. Asked about a possible "secret recipe", the Spaniard said: "There is no secret. The last games against Bayern don't mean anything to us for tomorrow, they don't bring us anything. We only look at the next game and we want to prepare as best as possible."

Xhaka: "In every game as if it were the last"

Like Xhaka and Robert Andrich (flu) who did not travel to Munich, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Aleix Garcia go into the first leg on a booking. Midfield maestro Xhaka responded to a question on that: "I don't really think about that with the many games and the experience I've got now." The 32-year-old added: "Of course, we will do all we can to avoid a yellow card but it's about getting a good result. We'll give our all. We go into every game as if it were the last."

Granit Xhaka

Alonso: "prepared for a tough battle"

Talking about the approach to the all Germany clash in the Champions League, Alonso said, with Edmond Tapsoba available again for the game in Munich: "We’re prepared for a tough battle, we want to be competitive and get a result."

away end sold out – DAZN broadcasts live

4,000 Bayer 04 fans will support the Werkself in Munich with the allocation for the away end taken up completely. The match will be shown live on DAZN and Werkself Radio will again be broadcasting live from the stadium from 30 minutes before kick-off.

Related News

Maja Sternad
Women - 06.11.2026

Bayer 04 Women ‘won’t lose sight of our goals’ as HSV visit

After back-to-back away defeats, Bayer 04 Women now face their penultimate home fixture of 2026 as they welcome Hamburg to the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion on Saturday (14:00 CET) seeking three important points in the Google Pixel Bundesliga.

Show more
Facundo Medina für Argentinien
Bayer 04 - 06.11.2026

November internationals: Medina & Fernández in Argentina squad, Quansah selected for England

Several Werkself players are set to represent their national teams during the final international break of 2026. Here’s an overview of who has been called up and what matches they will face in November. This article will be updated regularly.

Show more
Ibrahim Maza
Europa League - 05.11.2026

Bayer 04 lose 1-0 to Marseille in first Europa League defeat

After three consecutive wins in the Europa League, the Werkself suffered their first European defeat of the season against Marseille. In a first half with few chances, the Black and Reds gradually gained more and more control of the game, but were unable to convert that advantage into goals. Miguel Gutiérrez came closest to putting Leverkusen ahead with a shot that hit the crossbar. In the second half, the French side produced clinical finishing, with Amine Gouiri scoring from a counter-attack to make it 1-0 (77’). Right up to the final whistle, the Werkself threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, but were unable to find a way back into the game.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #B04OM
Europa League - 05.11.2026

Matchday news: To the very top of the European stage at the fourth attempt?

Bayer 04 are riding a wave of success on the European stage: After three wins from their first three games and as the only team yet to concede a goal, the Werkself sit second in the table in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. With another three points in their first-ever competitive match against Olympique Marseille on Thursday night, 5 November (kick-off: 21:00 CET), Bayer 04 could leap to the top of the table. Meanwhile, the French side are riding the wave of a winning streak in Ligue 1, but are yet to pick up any points in the Europa League. For one Werkself player, Thursday night will mark a reunion with his former team-mates. Today’s matchday news.

Show more
Bundesliga-Spieltage 12 bis 18 terminiert
Bundesliga - 05.11.2026

Bundesliga matchdays 12 to 18 scheduled: Werkself end 2026 on a Saturday afternoon

The Bundesliga has finalised the fixtures for matchdays 12 to 18 of the 2026/27 season. Here is an overview of the dates.

Show more