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"I've got a good feeling for the game. Big clashes like this are the best. It will be a great game in a great stadium against a top team," declared Alonso at the pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon. The Werkself are top of the Bundesliga for the first time since December 2020. However, the Spaniard warned against an overconfident approach to the match: "Only three games have been played so far. That doesn't mean much at all."
Nevertheless, it promises to be a hard-fought battle. The Spaniard declared: "Bayern are a world-class team and favourites to win the league title every year. That means playing against them is always very difficult." Alonso believes his team is ready for the top of the table encounter at FC Bayern. "We’ve made a good start to the season and have obviously gained confidence. If we show the same mentality as before then it will be a good game."
Friday night’s match is not only special because of the situation in the Bundesliga table. For Alonso, the match represents a return to his former stomping ground. The Spaniard played for the Munich club from 2014 to 2017. He now returns to the Allianz Arena for the first time as a coach with the Werkself. A reunion with familiar faces the Spaniard is looking forward to: "I've got good memories of my time at Bayern. They were my last three years as a player. On top of that, I was able to prepare and learn a lot there under Pep Guardiola in my desire to become a coach. But now the clear focus is obviously on the game."
Patrik Schick and Timothy Fosu-Mensah will not travel to Munich. In addition, the Spanish head coach will have to manage without Arthur and Noah Mbamba.
Amine Adli, unavailable for the first three league matches due to suspension, is able to play again in Munich. Piero Hincapie will be in the Werkself matchday squad for the first time this season following time out injured.
The Werkself can look forward to the support of 5,000 Leverkusen fans at the Allianz Arena. The team will set off to the Bavarian state capital on Friday morning.
The second international break of the 2025/26 season will begin after the Bundesliga match against Union Berlin (Saturday, 4 October, 15:30 CEST). The latest information on call-ups.
Show moreAlejo Sarco and Argentina won their second group match at the U20 World Cup in Chile on Wednesday night. They beat Australia 4-1 with Sarco setting the tone early with a goal in the third minute. As in the first group game against Cuba, where Sarco scored twice, the 19-year-old was also named "Player of the Match" against Australia.
Show moreSecond game, second draw in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26: The Werkself were held to a 1-1 draw by Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven on matchday two in the league phase. After an early but brief setback in the form of an offside goal by Ivan Perisic for the visitors (5'), the Werkself took control and created numerous good chances in the first half. Leverkusen took a deserved lead after the break in the 65th minute through Christian Kofane. However, PSV's Ismael Saibari replied a few minutes later to level at 1-1 (72').
Show moreIn the second match in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26, the Werkself host PSV Eindhoven this Wednesday evening, 1 October (kick-off: 21:00 CEST/live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio). PSV have injury problems but are in confident mood after winning two consecutive league titles. PSV coach Peter Bosz and keeper Matej Kovar are two familiar faces who have fond memories of their Bayer 04 days. The latest information on the UCL match at the BayArena can be found in out matchday news.
Show moreBayer 04 beat PSV Eindhoven 3-2 on matchday two to clock up the next three points in the UCL Youth League 2025/26. In front of just under 500 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, the visitors from the Netherlands led at half-time, but the Werkself turned the game round in the second 45. That makes it two wins on the bounce after the victory in Copenhagen.
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