Back
8.05.2024Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #B04ASR: “Expecting a top spectacle with a great atmosphere”

Bayer 04 have the final of the UEFA Europa League firmly in their sights as they prepare to host Roma at a sold-out BayArena for the semi-final second leg on Thursday (kick-off: 9pm CEST). The Werkself have a 2-0 lead from last week’s first leg in Rome and are well placed to reach a first European final in over 20 years. Ahead of the return fixture, head coach Xabi Alonso and defender Edmond Tapsoba spoke at the club’s press conference on Wednesday and gave a warning about a motivated opponent.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

“Second legs are always dangerous, so the result from last week is irrelevant. A goal from Roma tomorrow can immediately change the game. We need to go into the match with the highest concentration again,” Alonso stressed to the media.

The Spaniard is expecting a “top spectacle with a great atmosphere. I remember the support from last year. We’ll need that sort of energy from the fans again tomorrow.” He was referring to last season’s semi-final second leg where Leverkusen bowed out after a 0-0 draw despite having 23 shots to one at the BayArena. “We obviously haven’t forgotten what happened last year, the pain we felt. We hope we can celebrate this time,” Alonso added.

Tapsoba: “Dream to reach the final”

Tapsoba also stressed a similar point when he took to the podium: “We really suffered last year. It’s our dream to reach the final this time. We’ll give our all.” The centre-back believes that one difference between then and now is the maturity of the team: “We’re playing in a very mature way this season. We always try to play with control. We’ve managed that well so far. I’m really very happy to be part of this team.”

crop_20240508_JS_PK_EL_0556.jpg

The defender also gave an insight into how the team will approach tomorrow’s encounter: “We’ll try to play to our own rhythm. It’ll be a tough game, but we like games like this. We take every match and every opponent very seriously.”

Wirtz and Grimaldo to return at sold-out BayArena

Alonso also confirmed that he has a full squad at his disposal for Thursday, including Florian Wirtz and Alejandro Grimaldo after the pair were rested in the 5-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Whoever does take to the pitch will do so in front of a packed BayArena, including 1,800 visiting supporters from Italy.

Related News

Fanwelt
Bayer 04 - 02.12.2024

Reintroduction of delivery fees in online shop

Delivery fees have now been reintroduced to purchases from the Bayer 04 online shop.

Show more
Teilnehmer des Einfach Fußball-Cups
Social Commitment - 01.12.2024

'Simply Football' Cup in Leverkusen: One sport for all

The seventh edition of the ‘Einfach Fußball’ ('Simply Football') Cup once again delighted participants and spectators alike. On Saturday in the Ostermann Arena in Leverkusen, around 200 sports-mad children, young people and adults with disabilities had the opportunity to compete with players from other clubs and to socialise off the pitch. A highlight of the tournament was the visit of two players from the Bayer 04 women's team.

Show more
Rudi Vollborn
Bayer 04 - 01.12.2024

'Rudi recounts…': Vollborn on December 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
Schwarz-Rote Woche
Bayer 04 - 01.12.2024

Black and Red Week: Become a member now and save!

It's the end of the annual Black and Red Week! Today, Sunday 1 December, there's an exclusive offer on Bayer 04 membership...

Show more
Schick chests Bayer 04 to win at Union Berlin | 12th matchday
Werkself-TV - 30.11.2024

TV highlights of 2-1 win at Union Berlin

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04’s 2-1 win at 1. FC Union Berlin on the 12th matchday of the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign…

clubExklusivExclusive content for club member Become a club member