Back
12.04.2024Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #B04SVW: “Full respect for Bremen, nothing is a given”

Bayer 04 have the chance to be champions for the first time in their history on Sunday if they can beat Werder Bremen at the BayArena (kick-off: 5.30pm CEST). Ahead of the game, head coach Xabi Alonso spoke about how to approach this potentially historic day and the opposition.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

“Obviously there’s this special aspect to the game on Sunday. We have the chance to be champions. But we’re only focusing on the game itself and want to play with our usual quality and mentality,” Alonso stated at his press conference on Friday. The Spaniard added: “We don’t want to think too much about eventualities. We’ll prepare normally for the game. Luckily, it’s not the only chance we have to be champions. But we’re playing at home and want to take our first chance.”

“Prefer to settle it ourselves”

Alonso said of the fact that Bayer 04 could be champions the day before if Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart both lose their games: “That would be a very big surprise. Normally that won’t happen. Honestly, we’d prefer to settle it ourselves on the pitch.”

Werder come to the BayArena on a run of six games without a win. “Bremen are a good opponent. They play with a clear idea. We’ll approach the game with full respect, because nothing is a given. We saw that last season at Dortmund. Our heads are now on Bremen. We’re in a good situation and are focusing fully on Sunday,” Alonso added.

“Fans deserve to celebrate”

There are set to be 30,210 fans, including 3,000 from Bremen, coming to the sold-out BayArena on Sunday. When asked of a potential pitch invasion by supporters, Alonso said: “The most important thing is that the fans can celebrate properly. They deserve that. But we still have a few games left to play on this pitch. We need the pitch still.”

Related News

Alejo Sarco
Bayer 04 - 20.01.2026

Bayer 04 loan striker Sarco to Borussia Mönchengladbach

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed a loan deal with Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach for Argentinian striker Alejo Sarco. The 20-year-old joins Mönchengladbach with immediate effect for the rest of the season.

Show more
Trio
Champions League - 19.01.2026

Our next opponents: Olympiacos will have to make do without overhead kick star

After their first win on matchday 6 in the UCL league phase, Olympiacos are still in with a good chance of reaching the play-offs in the UEFA Champions League. The 2024 UEFA Conference League winners will be looking to go one better in their home match against Bayer 04 this Tuesday, 20 January (kick-off: 21:00 CET), but their stop scorer is unavailable. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Panagiotis Retsos
Champions League - 19.01.2026

‘I was very happy in Leverkusen’: 04 questions for former Werkself player and Olympiacos captain Panagiotis Retsos

Panagiotis, known as Panos, Retsos wore the Bayer 04 jersey for three years. Including his loan spells, he was under contract with the Werkself for a total of four and a half years. "It's a very special club for me," said the 27-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club Olympiacos in 2022, in an interview with bayer04.de. The former Leverkusen man is now captain and a first choice for the Werkself's next opponents in the UEFA Champions League. Ahead of the clash on Tuesday night, 20 January (kick-off: 21:00 CET), Retsos talks about his fond memories of his time in Leverkusen and the imminent reunion with some of his former team-mates. He also talks about who brought him to Leverkusen and why he likes getting older.

Show more
crop_imago1071437261.jpg
Bayer 04 - 18.01.2026

AFCON blog: Senegal win the tournament

Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...

Show more
Mark Flekken
Bayer 04 - 18.01.2026

Flekken and Tella out injured

Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without goalkeeper Mark Flekken and forward Nathan Tella for the time being.

Show more