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"Perhaps we face the toughest game of the season in the Bundesliga," said Xabi Alonso at the start of the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. However, the Spaniard is full of anticipation for the top clash at the record champions and he is demanding the highest levels of concentration: "Games at the Allianz Arena are tough and it's always been like that. We have a clear approach to the game, we can't be too hesitant and we mustn't allow big gaps." Alonso added: "We need an almost perfect performance if we want to get a result in Munich."
Bayern Munich currently top the Bundesliga table ahead of the Werkself in second place with four wins in four games and a goal difference of plus 13 (16-3). The team led by head coach Vincent Kompany have scored 20 goals in the last three games across all competitions. Alonso said about the impressive start to the season for FC Bayern: "Vincent has a good influence on the team. They are playing with great energy and have good ideas." Therefore it is clear to the Werkself coach: "We have to be ready for all situations, it will be a big challenge as always."
The Werkself attack has again been strong this season. The Black and Reds have the second highest number of goals in the Bundesliga this season with 13 to date. At the same time, Alonso does know that nine goals conceded in four games are too many: "It's difficult to win games if we don't defend well. But that does not only apply to the defenders. It's down to the whole team. We've analysed the last few matches and had time this week to work on it."
For the clash with FC Bayern, to be broadcast in over 200 countries, Xabi Alonso has a full squad and he shared the following information in reply to a question on Exequiel Palacios: "Everybody's ready for 90 minutes." The team will set off for the capital of Bavaria on Friday afternoon after the final pre-match training session.
Alonso and his team can look forward to great support on the road: 7,500 Leverkusen supporters will be at the game at the Allianz Arena. The demand for tickets was very high with the whole away allocation sold out after a day.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
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The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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