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"We need a good result to achieve our target. We are going there to win," declared Alonso at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday morning. The Werkself are top of Group H on matchday four with nine points from three games.
The away match at Qarabag, who are second on six points, represents the longest European journey for Bayer 04 in the club's history. But that can definitely not be used as an excuse. Alonso: "Of course, it's a long flight. But we have prepared well at the club in terms of logistics. Qarabag had to come to us in Leverkusen. It’s the same for us." 200 Leverkusen fans are expected to travel to Azerbaijan.
The Europa League fixture against Qarabag marks the third packed week in succession for the Werkself. As in the previous two weeks, there could be changes to the starting XI this time as Alonso revealed: "We are ready and we want to use the two games ahead of the international break against Qarabag and Union to maintain our good positions in the Europa League and the Bundesliga."
Edmond Tapsoba will not be available. The Burkina Faso international is set to undergo an operation on his left hand following the injury suffered in last week's 5-2 DFB-Pokal win at third division SV Sandhausen. Alonso: "The operation is essential. Therefore, we decided together to have it done now. Eddy will be available for us against Bremen."
Matej Kovar, the summer signing from Manchester United, also took part in the press conference on Wednesday morning. The 23-year-old Czechia international keeper said "the Europa League means a lot to us. I have really enjoyed every single minute in this competition on the pitch together with the lads. We’ve produced good performances and I hope it carries on like that."
Kovar is expecting a "tough game" against the Azerbaijani record champions who clocked up a 7-1 victory in the league at the weekend. "They are in good shape. Perhaps they didn’t show their usual level against us in the first game (5-1, ed.). We know what to expect and are well prepared."
Asked about working with Lukas Hradecky and the other goalkeepers, Kovar said "we have all got on great together since the first day. We encourage each other in every training session and game, and we do all we can to help the team as much as possible."
Kovar will play in goal again in Baku as he has done in the first three group matches as Alonso confirmed at the press conference. The Spaniard said of the summer signing: "Matej has done really well so far, he has a lot of quality and is always ready. In addition, he supports Lukas as much as he can. We are happy to have healthy competition in the goalkeeping position with the two of them and Niklas Lomb."
In the third home fixture in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League campaign, the Werkself entertain the Italian champions Inter Milan at the BayArena. The game on Matchday 6 is on Tuesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21.00 CET). Read on for the information on ticket sales for this game.
Show moreA sixth win in the ninth game of the season for the Bayer 04 Women: After a dominant performance against newcomers Turbine Potsdam, the team under coach Roberto Pätzold are hard on the heels of the leading trio in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga. In the 3-0 home win at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, the Werkself goals were scored by Kristin Kögel (4’), Cornelia Kramer (13’) and Lilla Turanyi (62’). Leverkusen remain in fourth place on 20 points two points behind league leaders VfL Wolfsburg and level-pegging with Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayern Munich.
Show moreOnce again in the current Bundesliga campaign, Bayer 04 concede late and draw. The 1-1 scoreline between Bayer 04 and VfL Bochum, who produced a fighting display under new coach Dieter Hecking to secure their second point of the season, is the third draw for the Werkself in succession. Xabi Alonso and the team led by captain Lukas Hradecky clearly expressed their dissatisfaction after the game. Reaction, stats and facts can be found here in the Werkself review.
Show moreWerkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04’s 1-1 draw at VfL Bochum on the 10th matchday of the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign…
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