"Of course, the preparation time is short but we are used to that. We will be ready," declared Alonso at the pre-match press conference held on Friday morning at the team hotel in Molde shortly before the flight back to Germany. "Today is about recovery and tomorrow we will focus 100 per cent on the derby and prepare as best as possible." There were no injuries from the game against the Norwegian champions that could affect the match against FC Köln.
"play well to celebrate with the fans"
Alonso – now at Bayer 04 for one year – last season experienced the fact that the game between Leverkusen and Köln is primarily of special significance to the fans of both camps. Talking about the 2-1 defeat in the home game on matchday 31, he said: "The match was the best lesson. There are lots of things I don't want to see happen to us again." And he added: "But now we are in a completely different situation in terms of energy and the quality of team and the whole club."
While the Werkself are currently top of the Bundesliga, FC Köln are currently next to bottom waiting for their first win. "Their situation is currently not so good but they are still dangerous," warned Alonso. "For me the position in the table is irrelevant. They are not normally in that position at the end of the season."
The Spanish coach is expecting a hard-fought game in front of a full house at the BayArena, "where a little mistake can be crucial." The combination of available quality and the right mentality is important. Alonso: "We want to play well to be able to celebrate with the fans at the end of the game."
