Back
26.04.2025Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #B04FCA: “The fans deserve a good performance”

The first of the Werkself’s remaining 04 fixtures of this season comes on Saturday at home to Augsburg (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST). Ahead of the Matchday 31 encounter, head coach Xabi Alonso reflected on previous weeks, spoke about goals for the remainder of the campaign and also Jonathan Tah.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

“I’m not pleased with the football we’ve played in the last two weeks and hope we put in a better display tomorrow against Augsburg,” Alonso said at Friday’s press conference. “We’ve worked hard and now want to give our all again. The fans deserve a good performance.”

Alonso: “Want to have fun again”

Leverkusen are up against one of the Bundesliga’s form teams in Augsburg, who are enjoying the best season in their top-flight history with 42 points from 30 games. Their points haul for 2025 ranks them third behind Bayern Munich and Bayer 04, while they have lost only one of their last 14 matches and none at all on the road this calendar year.

Going into this game and the final three afterwards, Alonso said he wants the team to “have fun playing football again. Our feeling right now isn’t the best. We had a big objective in our minds. Now we need to create new goals. We want to end the season as well as possible.”

Alonso on Tah: “Top professional, top player, top person”

Alonso will be without Nordi Mukiele and Alejo Sarco, as well as long-term absentees Jeanuel Belocian, Martin Terrier and Mario Hermoso. All other players are fit and have “trained well,” according to the Spaniard.

When asked about central defender Tah, Alonso stated: “We need to respect his decision. He’s earned the right to decide his own future. His attitude, his professionalism and his consistency this season have been incredible. He’s been really important for me since the first day. I can only thank him for what he’s given us and the club. He’s a top professional, a top player and a top person.”

Sold-out home section – ‘Finally Red’ campaign

The home section of the BayArena is sold out for Saturday, with around 600 fans travelling from Augsburg.

Finally Red

The Nordkurve12 fan group has also created the ‘Finally Red’ campaign for the end of this season. Werkself fans should come to the stadium for both home and away matches wearing red. There will be T-shirts, stickers and other items on sale at the stadium from 12.30pm before the game tomorrow.

Related News

Ticket-Infos
Bayer 04 - 14.07.2026

Tickets for the friendly fixtures in Nottingham and Newcastle

In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.

Show more
Azubi-Ehrung von Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 14.07.2026

Bayer 04 congratulate three female apprentices on successfully completing their apprenticeships

Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.

Show more
Tapsoba
Bayer 04 - 13.07.2026

Ahead of open training session: Werkself undergo fitness assessments

Following the summer break, most of the players are back in Leverkusen. While two Bayer 04 first-team players are still in action at the World Cup, the players present officially kicked off the new season with fitness assessments. At the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehabilitation and training centre, Robert Andrich, Edmond Tapsoba and the rest of the squad worked up quite a sweat in the sweltering summer heat. New signings Afonso Moreira and Kennet Eichhorn also successfully completed the day’s sessions alongside their new team-mates.

Show more
Das Trainerteam um Chefcoach Carles Martínez
Bayer 04 - 13.07.2026

Coaching team led by head coach Carles Martínez confirmed

The Werkself return tomorrow, Tuesday 14 July (from 11:00 CEST at the BayArena; live stream on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and YouTube), with new head coach Carles Martínez leading his first training session as part of the Bayer 04 set-up. His coaching team comprises a mix of new and long-standing colleagues.

Show more
crop_imago1079683398.jpg
Bayer 04 - 12.07.2026

World Cup blog: Spain in the final – Palacios and Quansah aim to follow suit

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.

Show more