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Xabi Alonso is expecting a “big match” on Sunday when last season’s third-placed finishers entertain the runners-up from last term. “We will face a strong opponent with great players,” added the Spanish coach. BVB, just like the Werkself, have started the league campaign in 2023 with two wins: A spectacular 4-3 home victory over FC Augsburg was followed by 2-1 win away to Mainz 05.
The Werkself have not lost at the BayArena in the league since the beginning of September last year: Four wins and two draws is the return in the Bundesliga since then. Above all, Xabi Alonso sees the support of the Black and Red fans as a decisive factor for the strong home form: “The connection with our fans is very good. Whenever we have a difficult phase in a game, and that happens in every match, we feel great support from our fans in the stands. That really helps us.”
As a reason for the upturn – the Werkself have picked up 15 of their 24 points in the last five matches – Alonso includes the significantly increased stability in defence. “We are defending better, the spaces are tighter, everybody helps each other. That gives us great security and in turn we are also stronger when we’re on the attack.”
Asked about a possible return to the matchday squad for Patrik Schick, Alonso said on Friday afternoon: “Patrik feels much better, he trained with the team today and he is close to getting back. We’ll see tomorrow if it’s enough for Sunday.” Schick, the second highest scorer in the Bundesliga in 2021/22, has recently suffered from a groin problem. The last appearance for the 27-year-old centre-forward dates back to 1 November. Charles Aránguiz (calf problem) will definitely not be available on Sunday.
Florian Wirtz is fully prepared for the game against Borussia Dortmund. Alonso’s response to a question: “He’s ready for another start. After a long-term injury like that, every minute of competitive football is important to regain the highest fitness level.” Following a brief appearance against Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-2), the 19-year-old was in the starting line-up again for the first time in Wednesday’s 2-0 win against VfL Bochum and he received a vocal welcome from the Werkself fans. He repaid their support with a fine assist for the goal at 2-0 scored by Adam Hlozek.
Bayer 04 host Borussia Mönchengladbach at the BayArena on matchday 12 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season. The schedule for the game remains to be confirmed. The latest information on ticket sales.
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Bayer 04 host Eintracht Frankfurt at the BayArena on matchday 14 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season. The schedule for the game remains to be confirmed. The latest information on ticket sales.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 0-1 loss at Bayern Munich in the round of 16 of the women's DFB-Pokal 2026/27
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“As far as mentality and determination are concerned, we have nothing to reproach ourselves for,” Robert Andrich said up after the first home defeat for the Werkself this term. In terms of their play, too, the Black and Reds put in a respectable performance for long stretches of this intense and physical match, outperforming VfB Stuttgart in most areas. It was only in terms of efficiency in front of goal that the Swabians had the edge over the Werkself. Head coach Carles Martínez wants to learn from this so that, in future, they can “win this sort of match too”. The Werkself review.
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Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career working as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personal Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
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