Live blog: The Werkself away at FC Bayern

+++4 March, 20.29 CET+++

Immediately after the press conference, midfield maestro Granit Xhaka spoke to Werkself TV sharing his views of tomorrow's game.…

We are finished now at the arena and we will check into the hotel. Good night, Werkself fans – don't stay up too late – tomorrow is a matchday again and we all want to be fit!

+++4 March, 20.07 CET+++

The Werkself have now gone six games without defeat against FC Bayern across competitions and there has never been a defeat in a clash with the record champions under Alonso. Asked about a possible "secret recipe", the Spaniard said: "There is no secret. The last games against Bayern don't mean anything to us for tomorrow, they don't bring us anything. We only look at the next game and we want to prepare as best as possible." HERE is the report on the pre-match press conference.

In the meantime our photographer has had a look round…

+++4 March, 16.48 CET+++

Ready for take off! The Bayer 04 group is - as usual in the UCL kitted out by Lerros - bucked up and ready to depart on a familiar flight path. The team charter flight KK 7004 will take 45 minutes to reach Munich Airport. Till then - we will back after landing to report from the press conference at the stadium.

+++4 March, 14.38 CET+++

Final training session - check! At least as far as the open part is concerned. With spring temperatures and in bright sunshine the Werkself players were showing great anticipation for the eagerly awaited UCL encounter in the first 15 minutes on the pitch. They evidently enjoyed the warm-up routine and a range of passing drills in small groups. But high levels of concentration were there in the close-passing drills. Good news: Edmond Tapsoba, who was sidelined for the 4-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt, was back. Only Robert Andrich was missing due to a bout of flu.

+++4 March, 14.03 CET+++

At the final training session at the UHS, sporting managing director Simon Rolfes answered questions form the many members of the media present and said with anticipation: “We go into the two games feeling good with lots of motivation and energy. We’ve been in good shape for months and we are looking forward to a special match. But it would have been the same against Real Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16. Our target is to compare ourselves with the best teams in Europe. And FC Bayern are definitely in that group.” On the approach to the game Rolfes said after three meetings to date with FC Bayern this term: “It is a common saying but it really does start at 0-0 again. Especially at this level there are always new games and a new run of games can start. Therefore, you have to be ready from the kick-off and feel the moments in the game and make use of them. I believe you have to play with maturity and intelligence in European competitions - for at least 180 minutes plus.”

+++4 March, 09.04 CET+++

Good morning from Leverkusen! The Werkself start the day with the final training session at 14.00 CET at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, the first 15 minutes are open to the media and will be covered live of the club’s YouTube channel. Niko Hartmann will provide commentary as usual. There will then be a communal lunch at the BayArena. The Bayer 04 group will set off for the Bavarian capital from Cologne in the afternoon. Head coach Xabi Alonso and midfielder Granit Xhaka will head straight to the stadium after landing for the pre-match press conference. A busy agenda - and we will be there for you at every stage.