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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.
A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
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The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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