Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.
“Tomorrow, we’ll take the first step in a decisive month. We only have four games left in the Bundesliga. If we want to achieve our goals of moving into the European places, then we need to win. The team is absolutely ready for it,” Alonso said at the start of his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon. The Spaniard added: “We’re currently riding a wave. The mood within the team is good; the connection between the team, the club and the fans is right. We want to build on exactly that tomorrow.”
The 41-year-old described Köln as brave and warned of a physical encounter. “They press both with and without the ball, attack their opponent high up the pitch and also have a lot of possession. They definitely deserve to have more points in the table than they do right now,” added Alonso, who’s learned lessons from the reverse fixture in Cologne. “The first half of the first meeting showed what we can expect. We’ve prepared for that in our training this week.”
It will therefore be about finding the right mix against the Billy Goats. “We need a healthy balance of passion and control, intensity and emotional stability,” Alonso explained.
Alonso has an almost fully fit squad available to him for the derby, with midfielder Exequiel Palacios once again fit to feature.
The World Cup winner and his teammates can once again expect a great atmosphere at the BayArena. The home part of the stadium is sold out for the fifth straight game, while the 3,000 tickets for the away section have also all been snapped up. Alonso said ahead of his first home derby as Werkself boss: “From my first day here, everyone’s told me about the importance of this game. I’m looking forward to experiencing that at home at the BayArena now.” The Spaniard also echoed the point made earlier by Köln coach Steffen Baumgart: “We’re looking forward to a game that’s intense only on the pitch.”
It’s going to be a historic day in Leverkusen as Bayer 04 receive the Bundesliga Meisterschale for the first time ever following the conclusion of the Matchday 34 encounter with Augsburg. The game this Saturday will be played in front of a sold-out BayArena, which will also see an emotional commemoration, a live performance and a drone show. Here’s all you need to know in our matchday news.
Show moreIt will be a historic and very special moment in front of a full house at the BayArena when the Werkself are presented with the first Meisterschale in the club’s history after the final whistle on the last Bundesliga matchday of the season against FC Augsburg. The fixture is on Saturday, 18 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST/live on Sky and on Werkself Radio). Ahead of the clash with tenth-placed FCA, head coach Xabi Alonso talked about the trophy presentation as well as the possibility of being the first team to go a whole season unbeaten in the Bundesliga.
Show moreIn the final match of the season for Bayer 04 on Saturday 18 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), FC Augsburg still have something to play for despite a recent run of defeats. FCA could secure a place in European competition next term with a shock victory away to the champions of Germany and with help from elsewhere. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreBayer 04’s Alejandro Grimaldo has been voted the Bundesliga’s Player of the Month for April 2024. It’s the 28-year-old’s first title of this season, having been nominated six times previously during his maiden campaign in Germany.
Show more