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

Robert Andrich und Co. nach Abpfiff
Bundesliga - 01.03.2026

Werkself review #B04M05: ‘We lacked rhythm and intensity on the ball’

The Werkself conceded a goal at home for the first time since the beginning of January 67 minutes into the game against FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday. Jarell Quansah levelled late on for the final score of 1-1 to secure a point and avoid a first home defeat in six games. Bayer 04 were very critical of their performance after the game. The Werkself review.

Show more
Rudi Vollborn
Bayer 04 - 01.03.2026

Rudi recounts…: Vollborn’s March highlights

Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…

Show more
Fanclub-Ehrung mit Fernando Carro in der Halbzeit
Fans - 28.02.2026

Bayer 04 honour six fan clubs for decades of loyalty at Mainz game

From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.

Show more
Late goal secures point against Mainz | 24th matchday
Werkself-TV - 28.02.2026

TV highlights of 1-1 draw against Mainz 05

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 1-1 draw against Mainz 05 on Matchday 24 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...

Alejandro Grimaldo
Bundesliga - 28.02.2026

1-1 draw with Mainz 05 - late strike secures a point

A late goal secured a point for Bayer 04 at home to FSV Mainz 05 in a match that saw the Black and Reds dominant in the second half. Despite lots of possession, the Werkself initially found few gaps and fell behind after 67 minutes when Sheraldo Becker scored in a Mainz counter-attack. In the closing stages, Leverkusen threw everything forward once again and equalised through Jarell Quansah (88').

Show more