Back
13.01.2025Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #B04M05: ‘Opponents in top form’

With the home game against Mainz 05 tomorrow Tuesday, 14 January (kick-off: 20.30 CET at the BayArena and live on Sky) the Werkself are looking for a successful conclusion to the Hinrunde in the 2024/25 season. Ahead of the clash with the team in fifth place, head coach Xabi Alonso sounded a warning about an opponent in top form – both in defence and in attack.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

"We are looking forward to the first of at least four busy weeks. Sometimes it's good if you don't have so much time and simply keep on playing the whole time," said Alonso at the start of the press conference. The Spaniard did sound a warning: "We will have problems if we are not 100% on our game against Mainz tomorrow."

The opponents, who have conceded the second least number of goals in the league, are in top form: "They are currently in very good shape. They are very brave on the ball and play with great energy." At the same time, Mainz are also well organised in defence: "They have a fine feeling for when they need to press high when they need to sit back. They've shown that several times against top teams as for example against Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund."

Boniface, Adli and Belocian still sidelined

Jeanuel Belocian (torn cruciate), Amine Adli and Victor Boniface are still unavailable. Alonso: "Adli can be back with the team by the end of January at the earliest, Boniface could return in the coming week but he needs time to train."

Alonso also had words of praise for Boniface’s fellow striker Patrik Schick: "He not only scores goals but also knows how to defend and knows what a great influence that has on our game." The coach was also positive about defender Piero Hincapie, who set up Schick in the 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund: "We are very happy with his development. He's a real fighter regardless of position and I'm glad he finally provided an assist for Patrik. He's practiced that in training for a long time."

Remaining tickets on Bayer 04 Ticket exchange

The home section will be sold out on Tuesday night and 1700 visiting fans are expected to travel from Mainz. There are still a few tickets in circulation on the official Bayer 04 ticket exchange .

Related News

Gabriel Minutillo
Bayer 04 - 20.07.2026

Bayer 04 agree long-term deal with Gabriel Minutillo

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed 16-year-old midfield prospect Gabriel Minutillo on a long-term contract. The Germany youth international will play for the U19s this season.

Show more
Alle Infos zur Frühbucherphase für die Bundesliga-Heimspiele 2026/27
Bayer 04 - 20.07.2026

Update on the early-bird booking period for 2026/27 Bundesliga home matches

Bayer 04 preparations for the 2026/27 season are in full swing, with the first friendly now under their belts. Although there are still around seven weeks to go until the first Bundesliga home game in early September, there is already huge anticipation for the start of competitive action for head coach Carles Martínez’s team at the BayArena. For the Bundesliga home matches of the new season, here is the latest information regarding the first phase of single-match ticket sales. The tried-and-tested early-bird phase remains in place. From 23 to 31 July, tickets for matches will go on sale on weekdays; the early-bird phase ends on 5 August at the latest – provided tickets are still available by then.

Show more
Gruppenbild vor dem Hotel Gut Matheshof
Women - 19.07.2026

'Very good energy and mentality': Pätzold reviews women's training camp in Rieden

Like last year, Bayer 04 Women held their summer training camp in Rieden. Coach Roberto Pätzold gives his assessment of the time in the Upper Palatinate, discusses the integration of the 11 new players and the unusual team building measures, gives his thoughts on the friendly and looks ahead to the start of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga season in August.

Show more
Öffentliches Training der Werkself
Bayer 04 - 19.07.2026

Open training session on Tuesday at start of summer holidays – Special surprise in store

Just in time for the start of the summer holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Werkself will hold another open training session on Tuesday 21 July. The session at the BayArena is scheduled to start at 11:00 CEST and will again be available to watch in a live stream. The fans who are there can look forward to a very special surprise.

Show more
Sieg für die Werkself
Women - 18.07.2026

Women celebrate end of training camp with convincing win over Slovan Liberec

Bayer 04 Women rounded off their one-week training camp in the Upper Palatinate with their second friendly win of pre-season. Coach Roberto Pätzold's side beat Czech top-flight outfit Slovan Liberec 6-0 in a match consisting of 4 x 30 minutes. Maja Sternad (8'), Caroline Kehrer (55'), Natasha Kowalski (67', 84') with two direct free kicks, Valentina Mädl (97') and Justine Brandau (107') scored the goals for Leverkusen at 1.FC Rieden's Fenstertechnik-Weinfurtner-Arena.

Show more