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

Neue Bestuhlung der BayArena
Bayer 04 - 09.06.2026

New seating for the BayArena - donation and reuse of existing seats

A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.

Show more
Bürgerveranstaltung zum geplanten Campus in Monheim am Rhein
Bayer 04 - 08.06.2026

Bayer 04 presents new Campus plans to Monheim residents

On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.

Show more
Montrell Culbreath für die DFB-U19
Bayer 04 - 08.06.2026

Culbreath in Germany squad for U19 Euros - Onyeka also called up

Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.

Show more
Malik Tillman
Bayer 04 - 08.06.2026

Tillman most recent in list of distinguished U.S. players at Bayer 04

When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.

Show more
Auslosung 1. Runde DFB-Pokal
DFB-Pokal - 06.06.2026

DFB Pokal 2026/27: Bayer 04 face Wehen Wiesbaden in first round

Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.

Show more