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

Ticket-Infos
Bayer 04 - 23.10.2026

Tickets for upcoming Bayer 04 matches

An overview of current ticket sales for Bayer 04 home and away matches in the 2026/27 season.

Show more
Jonas Hofmann jubelt auf Kreta!
Europa League - 22.10.2026

2–0 win at OFI Crete – Hofmann’s brace the reward for dominant Werkself

Three games, three wins: Bayer 04 secured a 2–0 victory at Greek Cup winners OFI Crete with Jonas Hofmann scoring both goals at the Pankritio Stadium, right on the Mediterranean coast (35’, 38’). As a result, the Werkself have temporarily taken over top spot in the table on Matchday 3 of the league phase of the UEFA Europa League.

Show more
crop_20261022_JS_OFIB04_Kreta_Cruise_5189.jpg
Europa League - 22.10.2026

Follow the Werkself’s trip to Crete ✈️🇬🇷

'40 Years Across Europe' - and for the first time ever, Bayer 04 are travelling to Greece's biggest island for a European clash. There they'll take on OFI Crete - full name Omilos Filathlon Irakleiou (‘Association of Sports Friends of Heraklion’) - on Matchday 3 of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase. The meeting with the Greek Cup winners kicks off at 18:45 CEST on Thursday 22 October at the Pankritio. We’ll bring you all the latest updates from the trip here…

Show more
crop_imago1083430197h.jpg
Europa League - 22.10.2026

Matchday news #OFIB04: Looking to extend Europa League run in Crete

Two games – two wins: Bayer 04 have picked up maximum points from their two matches so far in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League. What's more, of their previous 14 UEL matches, Bayer 04 have lost just one. Away to OFI Crete, Carles Martínez’s side are looking to add another successful performance on the European stage to their string of impressive displays. The Greeks, for their part, have been waiting four matches for a win, but Leverkusen should be on their guard: OFI’s most recent victory came against a German side. Today's matchday news.

Show more
Jarell Quansah im Interview vor dem UEL-Auswärtsspiel bei OFI Kreta | UEL, 3. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 21.10.2026

Quansah interview ahead of UEL match at OFI Crete

Ahead of Bayer 04's Europa League match away to OFI Crete in Greece, defender Jarell Quansah spoke to Werkself-TV...

Show more