Alonso ahead of #B04FCU: 'Coming week is important for our future'

"Next week is important for our future. We can't afford to think forward to May but we need points and have a responsibility to the club and the fans. We have to play better and be more competitive," said Alonso at the start of today's pre-match press conference. "We don't have much time for training at the moment but we are working hard together every day – above all on basics – to get back on track. We can always improve and I feel the commitment from all the players," revealed the coach.

Alonso sees intensity as crucial in the game against Union Berlin: "We watched the Union game yesterday. It was a typical display by them and they are deservedly top the table," said Alonso as he rates the opponents above all as combative: They have a good team spirit, are strong in challenges and make it difficult for every opponent. That's what we can expect on Sunday."

Alonso: "we need goals to win games"

The Spanish coach is therefore looking for an equally battling and intense performance from his team but also for his players to be prepared to take risks in the opposition half: "We are good in build-up play but we have to defend and at the same half provide better options in the final third in the box, challenge higher up the pitch and thereby create more chances," said the 40-year-old before making a clear statement: "We need goals to win games."

question marks over  Bellarabi and Aránguiz 

A number of players in the Leverkusen squad picked up knocks in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League game against Club Brugge. The head coach said a decision on whether injured Karim Bellarabi and Charles Aránguiz might return will be made after the final pre-match training session on Saturday 5 November. The Spaniard admitted that it is "still too early" for Florian Wirtz to make his comeback.

Home sections sold out

29,200 tickets have been sold for Sunday’s game including 1,704 to fans from Berlin. The home sections are sold out.