Back
10.05.2023Europa League

Alonso ahead of #ASRB04: ‘We’ve shown we can beat anybody’

The first semi-final for Bayer 04 in the European competition for over 20 years is nearly here: The Werkself are away to AS Roma in the first leg on Thursday 11 May (kick-off: 21.00 CEST). Head coach Xabi Alonso and captain Lukas Hradecky at the pre-match press conference at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday evening spoke about the good record from big games and similar strengths shared by the two teams.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

Since the start of the week, the focus has exclusively been on the first leg against AS Roma as the Werkself captain Lukas Hradecky explained before his first European semi-final: “In football it goes on and on. We face a big match on an impressive stage where we want to achieve a good position for the second leg at home in Leverkusen.”

Hradecky: "WE can expect a big challenge"

Asked about AS Roma offensive star Paulo Dybala, who has 18 goal involvements in Serie A, goalkeeper Hradecky declared: “I look at each opponent in detail. Roma have a lot of good players who never give up and keep on fighting. Regardless of who plays tomorrow night – we can expect a big challenge.

crop_20230510_JS_ASR_B04_MD-1_1215.jpg

Hradecky and Co. have shown over recent weeks that they are ready both in the Bundesliga and in the Europa League. “We’ve developed well. Bayern, Leipzig – we showed we can beat anyone,” added Hradecky. “We want to show that again against Roma.”

Alonso's reunion with Mourinho: "looking forward to seeing him"

Xabi Alonso will meet his former manager José Mourinho for the first time as a coach on Thursday night. Mourinho coached him at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013. “Of course, it’s special for me to play against him. I had a great time with him and I learned a lot from him. Mourinho knows how to inspire a team and he was always a leader,” explained Alonso. “I’m looking forward to seeing him. But when the game starts I will be completely focused on the events on the pitch and I will dedicate all my energy exclusively to working with my team.”

Alonso’s opposite number Mourinho earlier praised the defensive work and the counter attacking game of the Werkself. Alonso welcomed the statements of the 60-year-old Portuguese ahead of the match. The Spaniard: “Roma also have their strengths in fast transition and, above all, at set pieces. But we are ready for their approach to the game.”

 

Related News

Robert Andrich und Co. nach Abpfiff
Bundesliga - 01.03.2026

Werkself review #B04M05: ‘We lacked rhythm and intensity on the ball’

The Werkself conceded a goal at home for the first time since the beginning of January 67 minutes into the game against FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday. Jarell Quansah levelled late on for the final score of 1-1 to secure a point and avoid a first home defeat in six games. Bayer 04 were very critical of their performance after the game. The Werkself review.

Show more
Rudi Vollborn
Bayer 04 - 01.03.2026

Rudi recounts…: Vollborn’s March highlights

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 as he worked 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 personalised 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…

Show more
Fanclub-Ehrung mit Fernando Carro in der Halbzeit
Fans - 28.02.2026

Bayer 04 honour six fan clubs for decades of loyalty at Mainz game

From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.

Show more
Late goal secures point against Mainz | 24th matchday
Werkself-TV - 28.02.2026

TV highlights of 1-1 draw against Mainz 05

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 1-1 draw against Mainz 05 on Matchday 24 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...

Alejandro Grimaldo
Bundesliga - 28.02.2026

1-1 draw with Mainz 05 - late strike secures a point

A late goal secured a point for Bayer 04 at home to FSV Mainz 05 in a match that saw the Black and Reds dominant in the second half. Despite lots of possession, the Werkself initially found few gaps and fell behind after 67 minutes when Sheraldo Becker scored in a Mainz counter-attack. In the closing stages, Leverkusen threw everything forward once again and equalised through Jarell Quansah (88').

Show more