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Xabi Alonso is looking forward to the first match at home with "great anticipation." After overcoming FC Carl Zeiss Jena in the first round of the DFB Pokal (1-0) last Wednesday, the Spaniard said the following: "We know we haven't reached our highest level up to now. That's why want to carry on working. It's a process to achieve that level but it's our aim and we’re focused on that. And I'm confident we can do it too."
Alonso is expecting a "top match at Champions League level" on Saturday night. The 42-year-old coach rates Leipzig as "very good opponents with very strong individual and collective quality and a great coach."
Alonso has nearly a full squad for the clash with the team under Leipzig head coach Marco Rose. Midfielder Exequiel Palacios is not yet available. The Argentinian continues to take part in rehab training. Lukas Hradecky will be replaced by Matej Kovar in goal. Hradecky has not trained this week due to illness and is not fully fit.
Alonso did confirmed that defender Jonathan Tah will play from the start. The 42-year-old also spoke positively about the new signing Nordi Mukiele who will be in the Werkself squad for the first time tomorrow: "Of course, he's only trained with us for two days. But he's made a very good impression. He's come to us very hungry, wants to have fun and enjoy the football. We are very happy with him and pleased he’s here with us."
The Spaniard also talked about the squad on deadline day: "Speculation during the transfer window is completely normal, that's football. But we are relaxed. We are happy with the squad. We have a lot of competition for every position and therefore are only focused on ourselves."
The home sections at the BayArena are completely sold-out for the game against RB Leipzig. Accordingly, Alonso is looking forward to another "great atmosphere" in the first home game in the new Bundesliga season. 1,000 fans are expected to travel from Saxony to the Rhineland.
Our longest-serving player is heading into her tenth season: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed a one-year contract extension with centre-back Melissa Friedrich. The 28-year-old joined the Werkself in 2016.
Show moreRüdiger 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…
Show moreJeremie Frimpong bids farewell after four and a half years full of energy, emotion and success. Whether that was on the pitch, with pace, goals and trophies – or off it with his infectious laughter and his big heart: Jerry has definitely left his mark on Leverkusen. Thank you for everything!
Show moreJeremie Frimpong is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join Liverpool. The champions of England made use of the release clause in the winger's contract. The Netherlands international Frimpong, signed from Celtic in the winter of 2021, has signed a long-term deal at Liverpool.
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