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

Kurzpässe vor #B04BVB
Bundesliga - 29.11.2025

Matchday news #B04BVB: Various campaigns around big game

There won’t just be plenty of excitement on the pitch as Bayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena at 18:30 CET on Saturday. Outside the stadium there will be collection points for food donations to the Leverkusen Foodbank, which will also benefit from the profits of a jersey raffle in the Fanwelt afterwards. There will also be a minute’s silence before kick-off following the passing of long-time Werkself player Dieter Herzog, before two fan clubs are honoured for their decades-long support at half-time and fans receive a talk about Orange Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.

Show more
Die PK vor dem Bundesliga-Heimspiel gegen Dortmund | 12. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 28.11.2025

Hjulmand ahead of #B04BVB: ‘Play our game again’

Bayer 04 go into the first of two successive clashes with Borussia Dortmund boosted by their Champions League win at Manchester City. Ahead of the Bundesliga top match on Saturday, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the tight schedule, BVB's strengths and returning squad members.

Show more
Serhou Guirassy und Nico Schlotterbeck für Borussia Dortmund
Bundesliga - 28.11.2025

Our next opponents: Effective up front, stable at the back - BVB on course

Borussia Dortmund are doing very well in terms of points and results in the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. BVB have only suffered two defeats to date this term. Now coach Niko Kovac's team are away to the Werkself on Saturday night, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET) in the top match on Bundesliga matchday 12. The two teams meet again three days later in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie in Dortmund. Two very competitive encounters are on the cards. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Paulina Bartz beim Torjubel
Women - 27.11.2025

3-2 friendly win - Women defeat Dutch league leaders

The Bayer 04 Women clcoked up a 3-2 win in a friendly against Twente Enschede on Thursday afternoon in the last international break of 2025. In drizzle, Lilla Turanyi (16’), Kristin Kögel (65’) and Paulina Bartz (69’) scored the goals for the Werkself against the Dutch Eredivisie Vrouwen leaders, who are still unbeaten in the league.

Show more