Back
28.10.2022Bundesliga

Head coach Xabi Alonso calls for same intensity as against Atlético

The Werkself are away to RB Leipzig tomorrow Saturday 29 October (kick-off: 15.30 CEST). The Leverkusen squad under head coach Xabi Alonso have a final training session before setting off for Saxony. The Spanish coach talked about the opponents at the pre-match press conference and he also called for his players to reproduce the intensity shown in the Atlético game.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

“Both teams have come through very tiring games. It’s difficult to produce the same intensity as we did against Atlético Madrid but that has to be our aim,” said Alonso.

The Spaniard rates RB Leipzig as a “strong team with strength in depth and high quality,” and he added: “We need a complete performance to get a result – we have to defend well but attacking is equally as important and we want to create chances again.” He also said they want to stick to their own plan.

final training session crucial

The final line-up for the game against RB Leipzig will be decided after today’s training session. Alonso: “We are very optimistic about Patrik Schick, Charles Aránguiz, Exequiel Palacios and Kerem Demirbay but we will have to wait for the final training session. We’ll be happy if we soon have more options with them – above all in the nest few weeks.”

Good news from a Bayer 04 perspective: Florian Wirtz has been able to complete parts of full training and he will be back on the training ground today. “Florian is working very hard and his mentality is good. But we want to be patient as it was a serious injury. I can hardly wait for him to come back but his health is the most important thing and that’s why he needs more time.”

praise for Hlozek and Amiri

Alonso also found words of praise for Adam Hlozek. “I’m very happy with Adam. He has contributed a lot both in attack and defence. He is disciplined, has great tactical knowledge and he has already helped us a lot.” The coach is also impressed by Nadiem Amiri: “In the long week of training ahead of the game against Wolfsburg, he clearly showed he wants to play and he has also earned the chance. That’s great for us because he has a lot of energy.”

871 Black and Red fans will be supporting the Werkself in the stands at RB Leipzig.

 

Related News

Kurzpässe vor #B04FCSP
Bundesliga - 14.02.2026

Matchday news #B04SCSP: Targeting third win over optimistic St. Pauli

Barely two weeks since beating St. Pauli in the DFB Pokal quarter-finals, Bayer 04 again welcome the Hamburg club to the BayArena for Matchday 22 in the Bundesliga this Saturday (kick-off: 15:30 CET). The visitors received a welcome confidence boost last weekend with a win over VfB Stuttgart, but the head-to-head record is still very much in Leverkusen’s favour, which Kasper Hjulmand’s team will look to maintain. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.

Show more
Derby win on Carnival friday | 18th matchday
Werkself-TV - 13.02.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 2-1 win in derby against Köln

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win against FC Köln on the 18th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
LIVE ab 13.30 Uhr | Die PK vor dem Bundesliga-Heimspiel gegen St. Pauli | 22. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 13.02.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #B04FCSP: ‘Take a step forward in our quality’

In preparation for the Bundesliga home match against FC St. Pauli on Saturday, 14 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET), the Werkself had a full week of training for the first time since the first match in 2026. At the press conference ahead of the clash against the relegation-threatened Kiezkicker, coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the intensive work during the week and the lessons learnt. The Dane also announced the good news that Ibrahim Maza is available again.

Show more
Rolfes, Damjanovic, Falkenberg (v.l.)
Bayer 04 - 13.02.2026

Bayer 04 sign striker Aleksa Damjanovic from Red Star Belgrade

Bayer 04 Leverkusen are strengthening the squad for next season with the addition of Serbia U19 international Aleksa Damjanovic. The 17-year-old centre-forward is set to join the Bundesliga club in the summer from Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade. Damjanovic, who also has Austrian citizenship, has signed a long-term contract.

Show more