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"We have the opportunity to experience a unique atmosphere at our stadium tomorrow. It's also something very special for our players. We are enjoying the moment," said Alonso at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.
The coach shared his views on the prospects: "We will need an almost perfect performance to come out on top against such a strong opponent. It will be a big challenge. We are absolutely aware of that." Nevertheless, Alonso admitted: "Of course, it's a big match but it's not an end of the season decider. There are only three points available. There are so many games until the end of the season.
The 42-year-old coach said the reigning champions from Munich had a "winners DNA". FC Bayern will have to manage without a large number of players but the Spaniard does not think that will be crucial: "It doesn't matter how many players they have on the sidelines. We are expecting the strongest opponent to date – both as a team and on an individual level."
Therefore, the main job will be "for us to maintain our good energy at the moment and our ideas and what we've prepared and then show it at any time in the game," said Alonso. That not only includes individual strengths for the individual positions but, above all, a "collective top performance."
As usual, Alonso kept his cards close to his chest on a possible starting line-up. He only confirmed the goalkeeper: Lukas Hradecky will be the keeper for the Werkself against the record champions.
Odilon Kossounou is still away at AFCON. The defender with the Ivory Coast is in the final against Nigeria on Sunday 11 February (kick-off: 21.00 CET). Also missing are the sidelined Victor Boniface and Arthur. It is also "still too soon" for Exequiel Palacios , said Alonso: "We need him for lots more games so we won't take any risks for this one match."
Alonso had words of praise for Granit Xhaka: "He is on top of his game at the moment. He is physically and mentally extremely strong, very competitive, he has an incredible understanding of the game and is a great influence on all his teammates. He communicates a lot and his teammates trust him. We are benefiting from him very much. It's simply a pleasure to work with players like Granit."
The BayArena has been sold out for months. 3,000 visiting fans are expected from Munich. Alonso is also looking forward to the support from the stands: "The connection with the fans is the most important thing. We feel their pleasure and enthusiasm and enjoy being able to give them something back very much. We hope we can make them happy again tomorrow."
Please note: As there is increased activity on the ticket black market for top games, Bayer 04 asks all ticketholders to check their tickets have come via official Bayer 04 channels. Otherwise it could lead to complications at the ground and even bar entry to the stadium.
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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