Back
13.03.2024Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #B04QAR: “Need balance between stability and tempo”

Bayer 04 host Qarabag at the BayArena on Thursday for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 encounter, with the tie finely poised at 2-2 after the first game in Baku last week. Head coach Xabi Alonso and defender Josip Stanisic spoke ahead of the match about the appeal of a knockout game and how to approach things to advance to the quarter-finals.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

“The first leg last week was very tough for us. Qarabag will fight again tomorrow, and we have to do the same till the end,” said Alonso at Wednesday’s press conference. According to the Spaniard, the Werkself need “the right balance between stability and tempo in our own game” up against Azerbaijan’s champions. “We need to give everything on the pitch. And if we do that, then we’ve got a better chance of progressing.”

Stanisic: “Into the game with focus”

Alonso is also looking forward to the knockout match: “I love games like this where it’s all or nothing. They’re always special and can have an electric atmosphere. But we can’t be too emotional in how we do things tomorrow.” Stanisic also stressed at the press conference: “The appeal is perhaps a bit higher than normal in decisive games like this. If things go badly, we’re out and there’s no chance to put it right. But I’m confident we’ll go into the game with focus and feel well prepared. We won’t underestimate Qarabag and want to give our best, like in every game.”

crop_20240313_JS_PK_1424.jpg

The Croatia international has started eight times out of 11 competitive fixtures in 2024. “I’m more pleased with my playing time than at the start of the season. I had to adapt, but I think I’ve done that well. We’re a team. We wouldn’t be where we are right now, in all three competitions, without every individual player and a big squad.”

Alonso confirms Kovar will play

Visitors Qarabag have two key players back for the second leg after Julio Romao and Elvin Jafarguliyev served suspensions in Baku. Alonso added about the Azerbaijanis: “Qarabag have a good squad and good players. We need a convincing performance and the full support of our fans.”

The Spaniard also confirmed to the media that Matej Kovar will again start on Thursday. The Czech goalkeeper wasn’t in the squad to face Wolfsburg on Sunday due to a muscular issue but is ready for Qarabag. “Matej has told me he’s 100 percent fit, so he’ll play,” Alonso reported.

Related News

Mobilitätsdienstleister wupsi
Business - 06.01.2026

Bayer 04 and transport provider wupsi expand long-standing partnership

The long-standing successful collaboration between Bayer 04 and the transport service provider wupsi GmbH has been expanded: From January 2026, 100 wupsi bikes with Bayer 04 branding will be available for hire throughout the city of Leverkusen. They will complement the many existing offers and services that provide key support, especially for fans travelling to and from home matches at the BayArena.

Show more
Hjlumand und Fans
Bayer 04 - 04.01.2026

Successful start to 2026 training – Hjulmand: 'Nice to see all the fans again'

The Werkself are back! Following the two-week winter break, head coach Kasper Hjulmand's team began the new year with an open session on Sunday. After Robert Andrich and his teammates arrived in Leverkusen yesterday for the official check-in, they got back down to business a day later in front of around 1,200 fans at the Ulrich Haberland Stadion. The report from the Werkself's first session of 2026.

Show more
Torjägerin Cornelia Kramer: „Eine tolle Basis, auf der wir aufbauen können“
Werkself-TV - 03.01.2026

Top scorer Cornelia Kramer: "We have a lot to build on"

In her debut season of 2024/25, Cornelia Kramer immediately became the top scorer for Bayer 04 Women. However, the Danish national team striker was stopped by an injury at the start of the new season. Now, just in time before the end of last year, she is fit again – and has extended her contract early until 2027. In this interview, the 23-year-old talks about the reasons for her decision and looks ahead.

Show more
Kalendar_01_Januar_1x1_DE.jpg
Bayer 04 - 03.01.2026

Bayer 04’s new year schedule: Open training session on 4 January

After a two-week winter break, the Werkself resume training on Sunday, 4 January. The first session in 2026 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium starts at 11:00 and is open to fans. Bayer 04 look forward to welcoming supporters at the start of 2026. The Werkself schedule for the new year.

Show more