Alonso ahead of #B04USG: ‘Motivation couldn't be greater’

Alonso stressed at the start of the press conference: "We've done well recently, the players are in good shape and the mood is positive. We have learned from our experiences over the last weeks and months and now we want to use it for ourselves." The Spaniard added: "It's my job as the coach to help the players. We are at a good juncture and we want to carry on in the same way and repeat our recent good performances."

Diaby: "show the true face of baYER 04 again"

Winger Diaby also talked about a strong team spirit: "There's a good atmosphere in the team. Everybody is very focused and wants to produce their best in training." The Frenchman also described the development of the team as follows: "Our start to the season was complicated but the coach has taught us a lot. That's made us better now and we have a different mentality on the pitch. We are now showing the true face of Bayer 04."

Mentality and concentration as basis

Alonso said a certain cleverness is required again in the forthcoming match against Union Saint-Gilloise: "Our basic tactical approach can change from game to game but our principles are always the same: Tomorrow we want to again manage to control our emotions and the game as far as possible. We have to have the right mentality and concentration. That's the basis for the rest and then we have a realistic chance."

Alonso on Saint-Gilloise: "strong individual players"

Alonso described the next opponents as a "top team" and declared: "We are expecting two intense quarter-final matches. Nobody here underestimates Saint-Gilloise. We've already seen their quality against Union Berlin. Therefore, it is no surprise to me that they have come so far. It's absolutely deserved. We have great respect." The Spaniard did sound a warning: "They have a lot of strong individual players with different profiles – above all in attack. But they also defend very well at the same time. That makes them very adaptable."

Alonso: "ride wave as long as possible"

Looking forward to the final games of the season, it is clear to Diaby: "Of course, we have to approach it step-by-step. But we have the players and quality as a team and obviously we also want to finish in a Champions League spot in the league and also go as far as possible in the Europa League."

The coach also warned: "It would be daft to talk about the final as there is a lot of work ahead of us. But we want to ride on this positive wave for as long as possible," said Alonso before adding: "I see the desire and hunger of my team to go far. Bayer 04 were last in a European semi-final in 2002 and now we have the chance to do it again. Our motivation couldn't be greater."

Going into the first leg, Alonso has almost a full squad to choose from. Only striker Patrik Schick is unavailable.

fans to welcome bus at the BayArena

The match against the Belgian side is almost sold out but a few tickets are still available and can be bought at the online ticket shop. Around 2,600 fans from Brussels are expected to be at the game to support their team.

The Werkself can expect an atmospheric evening with emotion high on the agenda on arrival at the BayArena: Nordkurve12, the independent umbrella organisation of Bayer 04 fans, has called for a welcome for the team bus. All Werkself fans are asked to line up along Bismarckstraße from 19.00 CEST to provide vocal support for the team. Leverkusen allez!