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

Mitglieder-Kick in der BayArena
Club - 26.05.2026

Successful season finale: Members event at the BayArena

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.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 25.05.2026

Season review 2025/26, part II: Highs and lows of an eventful season

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.

Show more
Rogier Meijer
Bayer 04 - 25.05.2026

Rogier Meijer leaves Bayer 04 to join Sparta Rotterdam as head coach

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.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 24.05.2026

2025/26 season review, part I: Upheaval, change, euphoria

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.

Show more