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

Leistungsdiagnostik 2025
Bayer 04 - 13.07.2025

Werkself players complete performance diagnostics before training camp

The Bayer 04 players were put through their paces at the Werkstatt – the club’s rehabilitation and training centre – on Sunday as they completed the first and main part of this year’s performance diagnostics. New signings Mark Flekken, Ibrahim Maza and Axel Tape, as well as players returning from their holidays, all did the customary medical and athletic tests.

Show more
Fernando Carro
Bayer 04 - 13.07.2025

Fernando Carro on Bayer 04 Brazil Tour: “It’s a huge opportunity!”

The team departs for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Monday for the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour 2025 from July 14-24. The preseason journey marks a change from recent training camps in the Austrian Alps and Black Forest and we caught up with CEO Fernando Carro to ask him about this summer's visit to Brazil.

Show more
20230
Bayer 04 - 12.07.2025

Attacking midfielder with striker qualities: Malik Tillman profile

Malik Tillman and the USA could not quite achieve the hoped-for big win in their own country. Last Monday’s final in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Houston ended up in a 2-1 defeat for the hosts against Mexico. But the Bayer 04 new signing can be very happy with the course of the tournament and his own performances. Tillman was in the starting line-up for all six games. That concluded an impressive season for him after winning the Eredivisie title in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven. Bayer04.de profiles the 23-year-old new signing.

Show more
Tillman
Bayer 04 - 12.07.2025

USA international Malik Tillman joins Bayer 04 from PSV

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the USA international Malik Tillman. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder joins the Werkself from Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven. Tillman, with German roots and born in Nuremberg, has a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2030. He scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 34 games for PSV last season. Three of those goals and two assists were in six matches in the UEFA Champions League.

Show more