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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.
This afternoon, Saturday 24 January (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayer 04 host SV Werder Bremen, who are winless in their last seven league games. Nevertheless, in their last outing, a 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, where they conceded a late equaliser, the Green and Whites did show their team spirit. The Werkself, led by birthday boy Patrik Schick, will be looking to counter this and secure their first three points of the new year on this ‘!Never Again’ remembrance matchday to commemorate the victims of National Socialism. Read on for the latest information in today's matchday news.
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Happy birthday, Patrik Schick! On his special day, it's not just the Czech striker who can look forward to lots of presents and hopefully many more goals – Bayer 04 fans can also get their hands on a free number 14 print when they buy a Werkself jersey today, January 24! In addition, a match-worn jersey belonging to the now 30-year-old will be raffled off among all purchasers next week.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win at 1. FC Union Berlin on the 15th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Despite a severely depleted squad and being a player down, the Bayer 04 Women made a winning start to their 2026 campaign. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 2-1 at newly promoted FC Union Berlin on Friday night thanks to a last-minute goal. Vanessa Fudalla scored from a direct free-kick (78') and Kristin Kögel (90+2’) in stoppage time for the Werkself, who were reduced to ten players on 68 minutes, on an atmospheric stage at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. As a result, the Black and Reds are now fifth in the table for at least one night at the start of matchday 15.
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The Werkself are looking for the first win of the new calendar year: Ahead of the sold-out Bundesliga home match against SV Werder Bremen on Saturday, 24 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET), head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about taking chances, possible winter transfers and a “Lion" returning to the Leverkusen matchday squad.
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