Alonso ahead of #FCBB04: Looking forward to the record champions

"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."

first time as a coach: Alonso returns to munich

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."

Adli back from suspension – Hincapie in squad

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.

5,000 Bayer 04 Fans in munich

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.