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

20241214_JS1_4760.jpg
Bundesliga - 12.09.2026

Matchday news: Continue improving form against Augsburg record starters

After the first win of the season against 1. FC Union Berlin (4-0) last weekend, the Werkself are aiming to collect another three points at FC Augsburg on Saturday 12 September (kick-off 15:30 CEST). The hosts, meanwhile, are enjoying their best-ever start to a Bundesliga campaign and go into Matchday 3 top of the table for the first time. The Matchday News.

Show more
LIVE ab 11.45 Uhr | Die PK vor dem Auswärtsspiel in Augsburg | 3. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 11.09.2026

Martínez ahead of the clash with league leaders FCA: ‘We need to be focused and give it our all’

The Werkself are away to FC Augsburg on matchday 3 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season. The game at the WWK Arena against the current – and for the first time – league leaders of the German top flight is on Saturday 12 September at 15:30 CEST. Ahead of the match, head coach Carles Martínez spoke about this week’s training and the team’s approach to the fixture, as they face an opponent brimming with confidence. The Spaniard also addressed a number of squad matters.

Show more
Mannschaftskreis FC Augsburg
Bundesliga - 11.09.2026

Our next opponents: League leaders with strong mentality and great squad depth

FC Augsburg are top of the table for the first time in their Bundesliga history. After two wins for starters, FCA lead the German top-flight with six points and a goal difference of 7 to 1. This Saturday, 12 September (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), Augsburg are looking to build on their strong start to the season against the Werkself. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Das offizielle Mannschaftsfoto der Männer und Frauen 2026/27
Bayer 04 - 10.09.2026

Men and women together for first time: The official 2026/27 team photos

Following the closure of the 2026 summer transfer window, the Bayer 04 men's and women's first teams lined up for a first-ever joint photo at the BayArena. Werkself fans can now download the official photos for free.

Show more
Carolin Simon fehlt voerst
Women - 10.09.2026

Carolin Simon and Valentina Mädl sidelined by muscle injuries

Bayer 04 Women will be without captain Carolin Simon and striker Valentina Mädl over the coming weeks. Both players missed last Friday's 2-1 Bundesliga win at TSG Hoffenheim because of muscle injuries.

Show more