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24.01.2023Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #B04BOC: Remain fully focused to the last kick of the game

The Werkself return to the BayArena for the first competitive fixture in the new calendar year: VfL Bochum are the visitors to Leverkusen tomorrow Wednesday 25 January (kick-off: 20.30 CET/stadium opens: 18.30 CET). Ahead of the clash with the on-form rivals from the Ruhr region, Bayer 04 head coach Xabi Alonso talked about an intensive week, squad updates on Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick plus Bochum flying high.

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There is plenty of confidence – on both sides: While the visitors from Bochum have won the last three Bundesliga matches, the Werkself have gone one better with four wins on the bounce. "We are expecting a very, very intense match and an opponent playing with a lot of energy," said Xabi Alonso at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon. "They fight for every ball. We also need that commitment to come out on top."

The previous match in Mönchengladbach (3-2) serves as a lesson and illustration right up to the last minute to "give everything. If we don't play with the highest mentality, focus and intensity then everybody will have chances against us." Last weekend, the Werkself built up a 3-0 lead but conceded two goals late on.

praise for Bakker – Duo still sidelined

As at Borussia Mönchengladbach, Charles Aránguiz and Patrik Schick are again unavailable for the match against Bochum. In response to a question on centre forward Schick, Alonso gave an update: "Patrik feels a lot better and has made good progress in the last two weeks. He definitely won't be with us tomorrow and it's probably too early for Dortmund. But he's getting closer."

One Black and Red player being talked about for their efforts on the pitch is Mitchel Bakker. The 22-year-old Dutchman has started for the Werkself at left-back in the last four matches and Bakker scored the opening goal in the clash with the Foals. Alonso was full of praise in response to a question about Bakker: "We've worked a lot with Mitch and said to him he has to get forward into the box more often. He scored the goal from two yards out and he went right from the back to right to the front. That's exactly what I want to see."

Tickets still available

Around 26,500 tickets have been sold for the first Bundesliga home game of the year with 3,000 going to Bochum fans. Tickets for the match at the BayArena kicking off at 20.30 CET are still available via the usual options including at the ticket web shop. Information on ticket sales can be found HERE.

 

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