Back
13.12.2023Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #B04MOL: “Seriousness for the final group game”

Bayer 04 host Molde in the final group game of the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League at the BayArena on Thursday, 14 December (kick-off: 18:45 CET). Ahead of facing Norway’s five-time champions and newly crowned cup winners, head coach Xabi Alonso explained his approach for the game and the final two Bundesliga fixtures of the year. The Spaniard also named two of his starting XI to take on Molde.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

“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.

Schick: “Physically and mentally ready”

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.

crop_20231213_VK1_5189.jpg

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.”

Home section sold out

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.

Related News

Piljic per Dropkick ins Glück: Bayer 04-Frauen schlagen Jena | 21. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 22.03.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 1-0 home win against FC Carl Zeiss Jena

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-0 win against FC Carl Zeiss Jena on the 21th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Terrier und Quansah
Bayer 04 - 22.03.2026

Bayer 04 pros Terrier and Quansah sidelined

Bayer 04 will have to make do without forward Martin Terrier in the next few weeks. The Frenchman sustained a muscle injury in his right hamstring in Saturday's 3-3 draw at Heidenheim in the Bundesliga.

Show more
Werkself bedankt sich bei den Fans
Bundesliga - 22.03.2026

Werkself review #FCHB04: ‘We’re ready to overcome this situation’

Three goals weren’t enough for the Werkself to beat FC Heidenheim on Saturday. The 3-3 stalemate was Bayer 04’s third Bundesliga draw in a row. After a commanding first half and a two-goal lead, “we didn’t get back into our game,” summarised Mark Flekken, who featured between the sticks for the first time in two months. Patrik Schick once again proved his nose for goal, bagging a brace. He is now the third-most prolific Bundesliga scorer in the club’s history. Despite the squandered points, head coach Kasper Hjulmand remains confident ahead of the final spurt of the season: “We’re ready to overcome this situation.” The Werkself review.

Show more
Bayer 04 held to 3-3 draw away at Heidenheim | 28th matchday
Werkself-TV - 21.03.2026

TV highlights of 3-3 draw at Heidenheim

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 3-3 draw at FC Heidenheim on Matchday 27 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...

Show more
Montrell Culbreath und Niklas Dorsch
Bundesliga - 21.03.2026

Bayer 04 held to 3-3 draw away at Heidenheim

Bayer 04 were held to a 3-3 draw away at Heidenheim despite twice taking the lead on Bundesliga Matchday 27. Malik Tillman and Patrik Schick had given the Werkself a 2-0 advantage in the first half, but Hennes Behrens and a Marvin Pieringer penalty brought the hosts level after the restart. Schick restored the lead not long after. However, Pieringer also struck again in the closing minutes to restrict Leverkusen to just a point away at the Bundesliga’s bottom side.

Show more