Xabi Alonso insists Bayer Levekusen’s focus is solely on West Ham on Thursday night despite a potentially historic weekend on the horizon.
Leverkusen, unbeaten in all 41 of their matches this season, look set to wrap up a first Bundesliga title on Saturday or Sunday.
All they need to do is match Bayern Munich’s result to be confirmed as champions.
Should Bayern lose to Cologne then Leverkusen will be crowned as title winners without having to kick a ball.
Either way, Alonso’s side will claim the title if they beat Werder Bremen at home on Sunday afternoon.
But Leverkusen are still in the hunt for a treble – they are already in the German Cup final – and first up is the Europa League quarter-final first leg against the Hammers.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Alonso said: “We know what West Ham can do. They have experience in Europe, last season they were champions of the Conference League.
“We want to go further and starting tomorrow and then next week in London, we have to play to our own game. We are ready.”
Former Liverpool midfielder Alonso was reportedly among the contenders to replace Jurgen Klopp as Anfield boss.
But the 42-year-old Spaniard has opted to stay at the BayArena, a decision which has thrilled the players according to defender Jeremie Frimpong.
“Everyone has a good feeling,” he said. “We love the coach and we are happy, you see it on the pitch. We simply have this great connection.”
Leverkusen reached the semi-finals of the same competition last season, but were edged out 1-0 on aggregate by Roma.
“When we lost last season in the Europa League semi-final it was difficult, but this season is different, we don’t like losing,” added Frimpong.
“It’s the quarter-finals so we are obviously excited for tomorrow. It’s what football is about, playing against the top teams so we are looking forward to it.”
West Ham have a major doubt over top scorer Jarrod Bowen for the match in Germany, but Leverkusen have also been dealt an injury blow in attack.
They will have to manage without striker Adam Hlozek, who injured his left ankle in the first half of Saturday’s 1-0 win away to Union Berlin.
Barcelona dealt injury blow with Olmo out for five weeks
Barcelona confirmed that Dani Olmo has been sidelined for up to five weeks with a hamstring injury.
The 26-year-old appeared to suffer muscle discomfort after scoring in Sunday's 4-1 league win at Girona and was substituted in the 61st minute.
Olmo, who signed from RB Leipzig for €55million, missed the first two games of their season due to registration issues but has played in all three since.
He has netted three goals in those appearances, with only Robert Lewandowski netting more so far (four).
Olmo's injury is a blow to Hansi Flick's side as they begin their Champions League campaign against Monaco on Thursday, having already made a perfect start to LaLiga, with five wins from five.
The Spaniard is set to miss at least six games up to the October international break.
Frazsier's Whip to seek first points when they face Tigres Femenil at the National Stadium on Wednesday
Jamaica’s female club champion for football, Frazsiers Whip will host Mexican Football giants Tigres Femenil in a home match fixture of the CONCACAF Women's Champions Cup on Wednesday, September 18 at the National Stadium in Kingston. The competition features the 11 top women’s club teams in the CONCACAF region.
The 7pm encounter will see the home team attempt to win their first points in their Group A match up having lost their first two matches which sees them sitting at the foot of the table.
Team Manager, Marcia Pinnock is anticipating a better showing from the Jamaican champions. “The girls were competitive in the previous games, and we are expecting a much better showing on home soil. We want to encourage fans to come out and support the team and by extension, women’s football,” she said.
Cost to enter the game is J$500 for the Grandstand only.
Club Director Lenworth Kelly is targeting Corporate Companies to purchase batches of tickets for a wide cross-section of fans in high schools and communities to be able to see women’s club football.
Simeone: Atletico energised by Gallagher and Alvarez
The arrivals of Conor Gallagher and Julian Alvarez have energised Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone said on Sunday.
Gallagher, who joined this summer from Premier League side Chelsea, scored his first LaLiga goal in Sunday's 3-0 home win over Valencia, opening the scoring in the first half.
He is now just the third youngest English goalscorer in the Spanish top-flight (24 years and 222 days), after Jude Bellingham and Mason Greenwood.
"He came with a lot of enthusiasm, and we needed that kind of player in the midfield because he makes us better," Simeone told a news conference.
"He does not stop giving his best in every game situation in which he participates."
Another new signing, Alvarez, scored in the 93rd minute, also his first goal in the Spanish top flight since joining from Manchester City.
He became the 14th Argentina player to score for Atletico in LaLiga this century.
"We all needed him to score a goal, for him to be more relaxed, to be connected to what he likes... hopefully the goal will be the first of many," the manager added.
"I imagine that he lives for the goal and the enthusiasm to generate this type of situation. Today he appeared as he always does at the least expected moment at the end of the game when hope seems to be fading and, luckily, he scored."
The Atletico boss added that the strengthened squad, which includes new signings such as Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth, is gelling very well and that allows them to compete at the level they want to.
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