Back
24.02.2023Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #SCFB04: ‘Take momentum and mentality into the Bundesliga’

The Werkself have no time to rest after the excitement of the 5-3 win on penalties away to AS Monaco in the Europa League play-off tie: The team under head coach Xabi Alonso are away to SC Freiburg on Bundesliga matchday 22 on Sunday 26 February (kick-off: 15.30 CET). The match in the Breisgau will again require high intensity and the full squad according to the coach at the press conference on Friday.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

“I’m incredibly happy for the lads that they were finally rewarded for their work yesterday and were able to celebrate with the fans. We haven’t got much time for analysis so we want to take exactly that with us and carry on,” said Alonso on Friday morning as he set out the approach to the next Bundesliga away game. Looking back at the Europa League thriller, the 41-year-old boss also revealed: “We practised penalties on Wednesday so I had full confidence in my players being able to do it. They had control of their emotions and strong mentality yesterday. I’m happy.”

For the coming league game, the Spanish coach therefore demanded: “We need that in the Bundesliga again now as we’re finding it tough at the moment.” Alonso described the opponents as follows: “They’re on a very good run and play with high intensity like Mainz. We should focus on that and learn from the mistakes in the game against Mainz.”

suspended Trio: no Tah, Hincapie or Adli

Alonso will have to manage without defenders Jonathan Tah and Piero Hincapie (both serving one-match bans) plus forward Amine Adli (also one-match ban) at SC Freiburg. Some good news: Moussa Diaby will probably be available again for the Bundesliga fixture after playing last night. Alonso did say: “We have to continue to be careful. Moussa would like to play again immediately but we have to manage his workload.”

Alonso also again emphasised the importance of every individual player: “We need the whole squad during this phase. It’s impossible to play with the same line-up every time. Therefore, we need everybody and have to be in a position to be able to use as many players as possible but remain competitive at the same time,” said Alonso. The Spaniard added: “We need time after such an intense game with the great effort invested to decide which players have recovered best and quickest. Every hour is important for recovery.”

over 2,100 Werkself Fans in Freiburg

Lukas Hradecky and Co. will stay in Monaco until Saturday and train there. The Bayer 04 group will travel via Basel to the Breisgau on Saturday 25 February and Leverkusen will have another training session there.

Over 2,100 Werkself fans will be on the road to support the team in the game against Freiburg – the highest number in the last ten year. Leverkusen allez!

Related News

Medina und Messi
Bayer 04 - 18.09.2026

International fixtures: Nations League, AFCON qualifiers and friendlies

Following the Bundesliga clash against RB Leipzig (Sunday, 20 September, 15:30 CEST), some of the Werkself first team players will be heading off for the first international break of the season. Here is an overview of the Bayer 04 players called up for their national teams and all the details of their upcoming matches.

Show more
Freiwillige Feuerwehrleute beim Spiel gegen NK Celje
Bayer 04 - 17.09.2026

222 members from volunteer fire brigades watch the home win against Celje at the BayArena

A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.

Show more
Nebe Domnic für Bayer 04
U19 - 16.09.2026

3–2 against Viktoria Köln – U19s extend lead at the top of the table in crunch clash

The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.

Show more
Doue im Training
Bayer 04 - 16.09.2026

Muscle injury sidelines Bayer 04 defender Guéla Doué

Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #B04NKC
Europa League - 16.09.2026

Matchday news: A new chapter in European competition begins

For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.

Show more