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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.
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.
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Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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