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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.”
St. Pauli are the visitors to Leverkusen for today’s 3.30pm CET kick-off on Matchday 13 in the Bundesliga, with some 3,000 fans from Hamburg coming to a sold-out BayArena. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
Show moreBayer 04 take on St. Pauli in the Bundesliga for the first time in 13 years in front of a sold-out BayArena crowd on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CET). Ahead of the game, head coach Xabi Alonso spoke about Pauli’s “structure and dynamic”, as well as options in attack in the absence of Patrik Schick and the final run to the end of the year.
Show moreFor the first time in 13 years, Bayer 04 welcome St. Pauli to the BayArena this Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CET). The promoted side have shown so far that that are a tough nut to crack, while last week’s first home win of the season proves they have potential in attack. Here’s all you need to know about our next opponents.
Show moreBayer 04 Women produced an excellent performance to beat Wolfsburg 1-0 at home on Friday night and knock the She-Wolves off top spot in the Google Pixel Bundesliga as the season reached its halfway stage. Cornelia Kramer got the only goal early in the second half in front of a crowd of 1,510 at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. The result makes it five straight wins in all competitions for Leverkusen, who go top overnight on 26 points – the best total in the club’s history from the first half of a Bundesliga season – ahead of the DFB Pokal holders with 25.
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