Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.
“We’re already through to the last 16, but we won’t let up. We want a perfect group stage, so we’ll approach the game with the same seriousness and concentration as all the other games. Any team that lets up will be punished,” Alonso stated at Wednesday's press conference. He also looked ahead to the final two Bundesliga matches before Christmas: “We’ll give everything till the end and obviously want to remain unbeaten.”
Patrik Schick, who was also on the podium for the press conference, had a similar approach: “We’re following the coach’s idea and all give our best. We’re hungry for success and are currently playing good football. We’re motivated to go as far as we can in all competitions.”
While the Werkself are already assured of their place in the last 16 as group winners, Molde’s fate is still to be decided. The Norwegians are currently level with Qarabag on seven points but behind in third place. The team that finishes second will go through to the play-offs against one of the clubs who came third in the Champions League groups to compete for the remaining last-16 berths. The other game between Qarabag and Häcken will kick off at the same time on Thursday.
Alonso also gave some insight into his starting XI to face Molde. “Lombo [Niklas Lomb] will be in goal. He’s worked hard for this and absolutely deserves to play tomorrow,” the Spaniard said, before also announcing that Schick will make his first start for Bayer 04 in over 400 days. “I’m physically and mentally 100 percent ready and am glad I can now look ahead. I didn’t expect I’d be scoring and setting up goals so quickly after the injury. But it’s also an advantage that the whole team is playing so well. That makes it easier to come back in,” the Czech striker stated.
The 27-year-old also sees the impending battle for places with teammate Victor Boniface as motivation: “We push each other. Obviously, everyone wants to start games, but you have to work hard for that. Competition for places is always good, not just in attack.”
The final European fixture of 2023 will once again see the home section of the BayArena completely full. Around 400 fans are also expected to make the trip from Norway.
The unbeaten run continues: The Werkself beat Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 (HT: 2-1) on Bundesliga Matchday 32, remaining unbeaten for 48 competitive matches in a row. Granit Xhaka put Bayer 04 in front after 11 minutes before Eintracht’s Hugo Ekitiké levelled the scores (32’). Patrik Schick (44’), Exequiel Palacios (58’, pen), Jeremie Frimpong (77’) and Victor Boniface (89’, pen) then sealed a deserved away victory for the Werkself.
Show moreBayer 04 travel to the Rhine-Main region for the match against Eintracht Frankfurt on Bundesliga Matchday 32. The game kicks off today, Sunday 5 May, at 17:30 CEST. All the key info on the clash at Deutsche Bank Park is in the Matchday News.
Show moreBundesliga champions Bayer 04 have also dominated the division’s Team of the Season after football fans around the world named Jonathan Tah, Alejandro Grimaldo, Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka, Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface in the Bundesliga’s best XI for 2023/24, in cooperation with EA Sports.
Show moreEintracht Frankfurt currently sit sixth in the Bundesliga and are well placed for European qualification once again this season. On Sunday (kick-off: 5.30pm CEST), they welcome unbeaten champions Bayer 04 to Deutsche Bank Park, where Dino Toppmöller’s team could well take a decisive step towards a place in continental competition. Here’s a look at our next opponents…
Show more