Back
14.10.2022Bundesliga

Alonso: Take energy and fight to Frankfurt

Bayer 04 round out another busy week with a visit to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga at 15:30 CEST on Saturday, 15 October. Head coach Xabi Alonso spoke at his press conference about lessons from the most recent games, the opposition and the intense schedule up to the World Cup.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

Alonso described Eintracht as “a strong team” on Friday. “They won the Europa League last season and look very solid. We need a lot of energy and have to be ready to fight. It’ll be an important game.”

Suspended duo return

Alonso has no new injury concerns following the Porto game on Wednesday and also has two more players available to him after Robert Andrich and Jeremie Frimpong sat out the Champions League game due to suspension.

The returning duo and the rest of the team can expect a different sort of match in Frankfurt compared to the 3-0 loss to Porto, who were “tight and deep in defence. We did a lot of things well but also made mistakes in our game. Those are immediately punished at the highest level. We have to be more compact against Frankfurt and be better at finding the space up front,” explained the coach, whose team will be supported by over 1,800 travelling fans at Deutsche Bank Park.

Alonso: “Everyone is important for us”

In order to make it consecutive Bundesliga wins in the Eintracht game, the Werkself will also “have to stay together as a team in tough moments,” stressed Alonso, who has been in the job just over a week. The Spaniard added of his time in the post at Bayer 04: “We’ve spent the first week together working on getting to know each other. Now we’re working on finding our identity and building up team spirit.”

Leverkusen face eight matches in the next four weeks. It will therefore be important to have the whole squad together. “Every player is important for us and will get their chance to prove themselves,” Alonso said looking ahead at the intense schedule up to the break for the World Cup.

Related News

Exequiel Palacios im Training
Bayer 04 - 11.08.2026

Ahead of friendlies in England: Palacios and Quansah back in training

Welcome back! On Tuesday morning, 11 August, Jarell Quansah and Exequiel Palacios – the last of the Werkself’s World Cup participants – returned to training. The two medallists and their team-mates are set to play their final two pre-season friendlies in England this week before the start of competitive fixtures.

Show more
Ausweichtrikot 2026/27
Bayer 04 - 11.08.2026

‘Made in Lev’: New Bayer 04 third kit

Bayer 04 have unveiled the new third kit for the 2026/27 season. The design, developed by kit supplier New Balance, combines the city’s colours with symbols that have defined Leverkusen and Bayer 04 for generations.

Show more
Fans im Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion
Women - 10.08.2026

Women: Wolfsburg and Bayern home tickets now on general sale

Tickets for the first two Bayer 04 women’s team home games are now on general sale. A week after their league opener away at RB Leipzig, Roberto Pätzold’s side will face last season’s runners-up, VfL Wolfsburg, in the first home fixture on Sunday 30 August (kick-off: 16:00 CEST). Fifteen days later, on Monday night, 14 September (kick-off: 18:00 CEST), the Leverkusen Women host German champions Bayern Munich at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium for a top-of-the-table league clash. You can now also select specific seats via the online shop. The latest information on match ticket sales.

Show more
Culbreath
Bayer 04 - 09.08.2026

Culbreath to miss the start of the season, Andrich in luck

Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without Montrell Culbreath for the start of the 2026/27 season. The forward injured his foot injury in yesterday’s preseason friendly against Spanish top-flight side Sevilla (2–1), which rules him out of action for the time being. Culbreath’s diagnosis is not yet complete; further examinations are to follow in the coming days.

Show more
Noah Mbamba
Bayer 04 - 08.08.2026

Bayer 04 extend Noah Mbamba’s contract and loan the Belgian to FC Lorient

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended midfielder Noah Mbamba’s contract by twelve months and sent the Belgian U21 international on loan to France. At FC Lorient, the 21-year-old – whose contract at Leverkusen now runs to 30 June 2029 – is set to gain playing time in Ligue 1 and, through strong performances and further development, put himself in the running for a future place in the Werkself squad.

Show more