15.03.2023Europa League

Hradecky ahead of #FTCB04: Be humble and work hard

The Werkself visit the Hungarian capital one week after the 2-0 home win against Ferencváros in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 tie with eyes focused on the target of reaching the quarter-finals. Head coach Xabi Alonso and captain Lukas Hradecky talked at the pre-match press conference ahead of the game on Thursday 16 March (kick-off: 21.00 CET) about the situation in the tie and the great football euphoria in Hungary – which goalkeeper Hradecky is very familiar with.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

The Werkself had just three days to recover after the energy-sapping 3-2 away win at Werder Bremen. Head coach Xabi Alonso declared at the pre-match press conference that his team has "good energy" in spite of that.

Not just the energy but also the mood within his team gives the Spaniard confidence looking at the second leg against the Hungarian record champions and record cup winners. Alonso added: "We are ready for the game and looking forward to this European night with a great atmosphere!"

over 65,000 Fans in the stands

The Werkself play Ferencváros on Thursday night at the Puskas Arena, Hungary's national stadium. The biggest ground in the land, opened in 2019 and also the venue for this year's Europa League final, has a capacity of over 65,000 and will be very close to being sold out on Thursday night.

One person who is very familiar with the football euphoria in Hungary is Lukas Hradecky. The Werkself captain has played in Budapest several times in the past with the Finnish national team: "I know the Hungarian fans, they support their teams from the first minute. There will be a really good atmosphere and it will be a great experience!"

The situation ahead of the second leg is better compared with the play-off against AS Monaco (3-2 defeat in first leg), "nevertheless we have to be aware that Ferencváros are capable of turning round this Round of 16 game," said Hradecky who finish by saying: "We have to be humble and work hard."

Related News

Women - 05.07.2026

Women: Assistant coach Remzi Kahraman leaves Bayer 04

Assistant coach Remzi Kahraman is leaving the Bayer 04 Women’s team with immediate effect to take up a new challenge abroad. The club has agreed to the 31-year-old’s request to leave, although his contract was originally due to run until 2027. A decision on his successor will be announced shortly.

Youth - 05.07.2026

U19 European Championship in Wales: Culbreath and Onyeka sit out Spain clash – semi up next

At the U19 European Championship in Wales, the Germany U19 national team lost their third and final group match 4-0 to Spain. Several regulars, including Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan to SV Elversberg), who had combined for four goals and assists in the two previous victories, did not feature,. Germany had already secured their place in the semi-finals with a game to spare.

Bayer 04 - 04.07.2026

World Cup blog: Palacios, Grimaldo, Quansah and Tillman through to Round of 16

The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico is underway. A total of eight Leverkusen players are taking part in the 23rd World Cup, with 48 teams in the tournament for the first time. Bayer04.de brings you all the latest from Werkself players at the World Cup.

Leistungstests und erste Trainings: Wie die Bayer 04-Frauen mit ihren Neuzugängen in die Vorbereitung starten

Werkself-TV - 02.07.2026

Diagnostics and training: Bayer 04 Women with new faces start pre-season

At the end of June, Bayer 04 became the first team in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga to begin their pre-season preparations. As well as training sessions at the Kurtekotten facility, the players under coach Roberto Pätzold completed the customary series of performance diagnostics. Werkself-TV presents exclusive insights and player interviews from the first few days after the summer break.