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“We’ve achieved our initial goal in the Europa League. Finishing first in the group was very important,” Alonso stressed, looking back on Thursday’s result in Sweden. The Spaniard had made use of his squad and fielded a number of young players, handing Gustavo Puerta his first Bayer 04 start and Europa League debuts for Noah Mbamba and Ayman Aourir. “There needs to be a target for young players. They’ve fought for it and earned it,” the 42-year-old stated. And when asked about Patrik Schick’s goal and the ensuring celebrations, he added: “The whole team and backroom staff were pleased for him. He was out injured for a long time and is now fit again. We now need him.”
Turning attentions to Sunday, Dortmund come into the weekend in fourth place on 24 points – 10 behind leaders Leverkusen. It’s set to be an exciting encounter. “They’re a direct rival. We have to win in the battle for places at the top. We’re expecting a good game with a great atmosphere,” Alonso said looking ahead to the excellent atmosphere the Werkself can once again expect. All 30,210 tickets have been sold, meaning the BayArena will be full once more.
However, the Spanish coach didn’t want to place too much importance on the game, instead stressing, “It’s a top game but there’s a long way to go till May. The goal is three points, no matter who against. We always focus on ourselves and take things one game at a time in this phase. We need to be well prepared against Dortmund and play with concentration.”
Like Leverkusen, Borussia are also in the midst a busy spell to close out the year. Both teams have six more games before Christmas, with BVB also set to face VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. The Black-Yellows beat AC Milan 3-1 away during the week in the Champions League to book their place in the knockout rounds but still have a final group game at home to Paris Saint-Germain to come. “Dortmund have achieved their goal. They’re a top team with lots of individual quality and a good coach,” Alonso said in his assessment.
Bayer 04 are the only team across Europe’s top five leagues yet to lose a competitive game this season, winning 18 out of 19 fixtures across competitions. However, Alonso once again warned of being overly confident: “It’s nice but not a goal. It’s a result of our work. We’re not thinking about it.” On the subject of Florian Wirtz’s fitness after he sat out the Häcken game with a slight muscular problem, the coach stated: “He already feels better. We’re now focused on his complete recovery by Sunday. We’re optimistic but have to wait and see.”
Season tickets for the Werkself home matches in the new Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga season are now on general sale. The season ticket is valid for all 13 matches at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The first home match will be played between 28 and 31 August against the runners-up, VfL Wolfsburg, followed by the clash with the German champions, Bayern Munich, between 11 and 14 September.
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A new team, a new environment, a new challenge—and yet one thing remains the same for Afonso Moreira: his attitude. Total dedication, discipline, and the drive to improve every day have defined the Portuguese player since his early days at Sporting CP. “Even back then, I realized I had to work hard to achieve my goals,” said the 21-year-old. His parents also instilled those values in him from a young age. Values that have driven him ever since, accompanied him to France when he signed for Lyon, and now also form the foundation for his new chapter at Bayer 04. At a media session, the lightning-fast winger spoke about his values, as well as his new teammates, the new coach, and his targets at the club.
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Former Bundesliga and Germany keeper Manfred Manglitz, who was promoted to the Oberliga West with Bayer 04 in 1962, passed away on Monday at the age of 86.
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Justine Brandau and Lobke Loonen joined the Bayer 04 Women’s squad in quick succession this summer. The two Dutch players have been friends since their youth days, and are now playing for the same club for the first time. In an interview at the training camp in Rieden, Brandau and Loonen talk, amongst other things, about their experiences as opponents in the Vrouwen Eredivisie, the dynamic within their new team and their first few weeks in Leverkusen.
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