Penultimate friendly of the year – Alonso: We want to use the time

Following the double training session on Monday for the Alonso team, there are a host of events on and off the pitch in the next few days. In addition to four more training sessions, the players will visit the Bayer 04 U12 to U15 teams on Wednesday 7 December to take a closer look at the young players and also make themselves available for exchanges on and off the pitch.

Alonso: "Solid defending is the basis of everything"

Head coach Xabi Alonso shared his views on the training plan and associated targets for winter preparations ahead of the last two weeks before Christmas: "We now finally have more time to work on things and improve. Solid defending with controlled risk is the basis for everything," explained Alonso before adding: "We want to create a successful balance between controlling the ball, having possession and penetrating runs."

On top of that, he also wants to use the time to take in additional systems of play: "Regardless of whether we choose to have a back five, four or three in the end, our aim is for the players to be able to be settled and flexible in each system," said Alonso. According to the head coach, Florian Wirtz also has a crucial role to play: "Systems are like images but a football match is dynamic – Florian understands that very well."

Wirtz and Schick making progress

Alonso also talked about the return of the 19-year-old: "We are really looking forward to it and we can very well use him and his individual quality and creativity. He is now getting fitter and fitter, is working hard and his mentality is good." The 19-year-old is set to return to the squad for the forthcoming friendly against the Scottish record champions for the first time since his torn cruciate in March of last year: "If everything continues to go well then he'll be able to have his first minutes in the friendlies," said the 41-year-old coach.

There was also good news about Patrik Schick: The striker does not need an operation. At the same time it remains to be seen when the Czech Republic international can return to the training ground.

final week of training this year

The Black and Reds will return to Leverkusen straight after the friendly at Ibrox. Lukas Hradecky and Co. will have the day off from training on Sunday before the start of the final week of training complete with the friendly against FC Zürich leading up to the festive break.