Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.
Xabi Alonso delivered the most important information from a Black and Red perspective right at the start of the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon: "Everybody has recovered well from the game, there are no injuries." His team secured a convincing 5-1 victory over Qarabag in the Europa League on Thursday night. As usual, the ambitious Spaniard is now looking forward again: "The most important thing is for us to carry on in the same way. And that's what we want to do."
To maintain the focus each week primarily requires "consistency. We talk every day and give 100% every day. If you want to be successful then you can't afford to stand still."
The Werkself have only won one of the last five home games against SC Freiburg. "Freiburg are difficult to play against," said Alonso. The visitors from the Breisgau come to Leverkusen on the back of two wins in succession but will have to manage without Roland Sallai and Maximilian Philipp. The attacking duo at SCF were injured in the Europa League game against Backa Topola (3-1) on Thursday night.
Alonso has great respect for Freiburg's coach Christian Streich. The 41-year-old said regarding his fellow coach, who has been in charge at Freiburg since 2012: "We had a bit of a chat after the game in Freiburg last year. I can learn a thing or two from coaches like him."
The Werkself go into matchday eight as league leaders. Bayer 04 have won all games with the exception of the 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich. The situation at the top of the table is tight despite that. Only two points separate first and fourth spots. "It's great for the league that it's so exciting," said Alonso in response to a question. "Stuttgart are playing brilliantly and have a clear approach, Bayern are always there. Of course, there’s also Dortmund and Leipzig as well as Hoffenheim who are doing well behind them."
In recent days and weeks, a lot of events have been organised for the first district matchday at the weekend involving people from the Leverkusen district of Opladen. An early get-together at the Zwieback bar in Opladen on Sunday from eleven in the morning should provide the perfect start to a hopefully successful day of football at the BayArena.
The club will be present in different areas of Leverkusen over the coming months as part of the new Bayer 04 campaign of district matchdays. The game against Freiburg is one of six of these special matchdays this season
After a flawless tournament with only victories in the group and knockout stages, Argentina narrowly missed out on the title at the U20 World Cup in Chile. In the final on Monday night, Bayer 04 player Alejo Sarco and his fellow countrymen lost 2-0 to Morocco. Both goals were scored in the first half of the match played in Santiago de Chile. Sarco played for the first 60 minutes.
Show moreThe Werkself suffered their second defeat in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga with two players sent off. Roberto Pätzold's team lost 5-1 at home to VfL Wolfsburg at the end of Matchday 7. Goalkeeper Charlotte Voll saw red in the first minute for a professional foul and Lilla Turanyi was also sent off on 51 minutes. Claudia Wenger scored the only goal for the Black and Reds (46'). With 13 points from seven games, Leverkusen are now fifth in the table, three points behind the Wolves.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without the services of Malik Tillman for the time being. The 23-year-old suffered a thigh injury training with the USA national team during the international break. This was outcome of a medical in Leverkusen. Tillman is expected to be out for around two weeks.
Show moreBayer 04 player Carlotta Wamser is among the five candidates in the vote for NRW Professional Footballer of the Year 2025. Fans can vote online up to 9 November. In addition to the Germany international, Florian Wirtz is also one of the five nominees. The awards ceremony will take place in Düsseldorf on 28 November.
Show more