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“We’re already through to the last 16, but we won’t let up. We want a perfect group stage, so we’ll approach the game with the same seriousness and concentration as all the other games. Any team that lets up will be punished,” Alonso stated at Wednesday's press conference. He also looked ahead to the final two Bundesliga matches before Christmas: “We’ll give everything till the end and obviously want to remain unbeaten.”
Patrik Schick, who was also on the podium for the press conference, had a similar approach: “We’re following the coach’s idea and all give our best. We’re hungry for success and are currently playing good football. We’re motivated to go as far as we can in all competitions.”
While the Werkself are already assured of their place in the last 16 as group winners, Molde’s fate is still to be decided. The Norwegians are currently level with Qarabag on seven points but behind in third place. The team that finishes second will go through to the play-offs against one of the clubs who came third in the Champions League groups to compete for the remaining last-16 berths. The other game between Qarabag and Häcken will kick off at the same time on Thursday.
Alonso also gave some insight into his starting XI to face Molde. “Lombo [Niklas Lomb] will be in goal. He’s worked hard for this and absolutely deserves to play tomorrow,” the Spaniard said, before also announcing that Schick will make his first start for Bayer 04 in over 400 days. “I’m physically and mentally 100 percent ready and am glad I can now look ahead. I didn’t expect I’d be scoring and setting up goals so quickly after the injury. But it’s also an advantage that the whole team is playing so well. That makes it easier to come back in,” the Czech striker stated.
The 27-year-old also sees the impending battle for places with teammate Victor Boniface as motivation: “We push each other. Obviously, everyone wants to start games, but you have to work hard for that. Competition for places is always good, not just in attack.”
The final European fixture of 2023 will once again see the home section of the BayArena completely full. Around 400 fans are also expected to make the trip from Norway.
Bayer 04 and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer have shown great commitment to the community as the sale of custom-designed T-shirts for charity in the Fanwelt as part of the “BarmeniaGothaer Brings Joy campaign raised a good €5,000. Bayer 04 matched this sum with an equal contribution. As a result, a total of €10,000 was presented to Edmond Tapsoba for his foundation ahead of the home match against Hamburg. The foundation supports people facing challenging daily circumstances in his home country of Burkina Faso.
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Bayer 04 host Hamburg at the BayArena for the first time since September 2017 on the final day of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season on Saturday (15:30 CEST). HSV are safe in their first campaign back in the top flight after back-to-back wins, but Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 19 games against promoted teams as they go for the victory they need to have a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. There’s also heavy discounts on food and drinks at the BayArena. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 fixture in our matchday news.
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As well as previously confirmed departures, Bayer 04 Women will also say goodbye to Vanessa Haim and Shen Menglu before Sunday’s final game of the season at home to Werder Bremen as the pair leave Leverkusen upon the expiration of their contracts.
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The last competitive match of the 2025/26 season takes place at the BayArena on Saturday 16 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), where Hamburger SV are the visitors. At the pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand discussed the mindset and the approach for the crucial final game against HSV, among other topics.
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