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"The final pre-match training session is behind us and we are well prepared for tomorrow's game. We have nearly all the players on board with very good energy and mood," said Alonso at the pre-match press conference. The Spaniard is expecting an "intense game" on Friday night.
Alonso also shared his views on the new head coach Bo Henriksen, who is the third FSV coach this season following on from Bo Svensson and Jan Siewert: "They have a new coach, he brings new motivation. His teams always play with high energy, which you could see in Zürich (FC Zürich, ed) and also against Augsburg." Mainz secured a 1-0 victory against FC Augsburg last weekend and it was the first win in twelve games and only the second three pointer this season."
Nadiem Amiri, who joined FSV Mainz from Bayer 04 at the end of January, made his fourth start for his new club in Augsburg. Alonso on tomorrow's reunion: "I enjoyed the time with Nadiem. It was a difficult situation for him here recently but, nevertheless, he was always very important for us. He had a good attitude. In the end, he wanted the move and we obviously respected that."
Mainz are currently 17th in the table on 15 points. The Werkself are top with an eight-point lead over Bayern Munich. Alonso does not see a change mentality in his team given that advantage in points: "I don't see any change in the team's focus. To be honest, it’s been a really normal week." The Spaniard added: "I don't look at the table but I know what we are aiming for. First of all, we want to end February successfully with a victory against Mainz. Last year we lost at home. We don't want that to happen again."
Asked about the discussions on his future, Alonso said: "I've nothing new to say about the future. These questions are normal."
30,210 fans will be at the game on Friday night, including 2,000 from Mainz. For the game against FSV, Alonso will still have to manage without the injured Victor Boniface, Arthur and Exequiel Palacios. Alonso provided an update on the Argentinian: "Pala has trained well but we don't want to take any risks. The aim is for him to be available against Köln."
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…
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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.
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It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.
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There’s lots going on at the BayArena today. The home game against FSV Mainz 05 is all about the numerous Bayer 04 fan clubs, whose birth - the founding of the "1. Fanclub 1976 Leverkusen" - dates back 50 years. A number of fan club representatives will be involved in awards, a banner display and a half-time matchday chat, and the Werkself are set to play in a special white fan club jersey. During half-time, Leverkusen mayor Stefan Hebbel and javelin world champion Steffi Nerius will also talk about the Olympic bid involving Leverkusen. Black and Red fans are advised to get to the stadium in good time today. Matchday news.
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The Werkself host Premier League club Arsenal in the Round of 16 first leg in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on 10/11 March. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.
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