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Alonso stressed at the start of the press conference: "We've done well recently, the players are in good shape and the mood is positive. We have learned from our experiences over the last weeks and months and now we want to use it for ourselves." The Spaniard added: "It's my job as the coach to help the players. We are at a good juncture and we want to carry on in the same way and repeat our recent good performances."
Winger Diaby also talked about a strong team spirit: "There's a good atmosphere in the team. Everybody is very focused and wants to produce their best in training." The Frenchman also described the development of the team as follows: "Our start to the season was complicated but the coach has taught us a lot. That's made us better now and we have a different mentality on the pitch. We are now showing the true face of Bayer 04."
Alonso said a certain cleverness is required again in the forthcoming match against Union Saint-Gilloise: "Our basic tactical approach can change from game to game but our principles are always the same: Tomorrow we want to again manage to control our emotions and the game as far as possible. We have to have the right mentality and concentration. That's the basis for the rest and then we have a realistic chance."
Alonso described the next opponents as a "top team" and declared: "We are expecting two intense quarter-final matches. Nobody here underestimates Saint-Gilloise. We've already seen their quality against Union Berlin. Therefore, it is no surprise to me that they have come so far. It's absolutely deserved. We have great respect." The Spaniard did sound a warning: "They have a lot of strong individual players with different profiles – above all in attack. But they also defend very well at the same time. That makes them very adaptable."
Looking forward to the final games of the season, it is clear to Diaby: "Of course, we have to approach it step-by-step. But we have the players and quality as a team and obviously we also want to finish in a Champions League spot in the league and also go as far as possible in the Europa League."
The coach also warned: "It would be daft to talk about the final as there is a lot of work ahead of us. But we want to ride on this positive wave for as long as possible," said Alonso before adding: "I see the desire and hunger of my team to go far. Bayer 04 were last in a European semi-final in 2002 and now we have the chance to do it again. Our motivation couldn't be greater."
Going into the first leg, Alonso has almost a full squad to choose from. Only striker Patrik Schick is unavailable.
The match against the Belgian side is almost sold out but a few tickets are still available and can be bought at the online ticket shop. Around 2,600 fans from Brussels are expected to be at the game to support their team.
The Werkself can expect an atmospheric evening with emotion high on the agenda on arrival at the BayArena: Nordkurve12, the independent umbrella organisation of Bayer 04 fans, has called for a welcome for the team bus. All Werkself fans are asked to line up along Bismarckstraße from 19.00 CEST to provide vocal support for the team. Leverkusen allez!
Bayer 04 player Carlotta Wamser is part of a VIP group joining together for the launch of the DFB campaign Punktespiel 2.0. The Germany international, who signed for the Werkself in the summer, will be speaking tonight (Monday) alongside former Leverkusen managing director sport Rudi Völler, now the current DFB sporting director, plus DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and DFB vice-president Peter Frymuth at the FC Grenzwacht Hürtgen club house about the new clubs campaign launched by the German Football Association (DFB).
Show moreThe Werkself are away to FC St. Pauli on Matchday 5 in the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. The game at the Millerntor Stadion will be played on Saturday, 27 September with the kick-off at 15:30 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreWerkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 1-2 loss against TSG Hoffenheim on the 1st matchday of the Bundesliga 2025/26...
The 2025/26 Bundesliga season begins for the Werkself with a home game against Hoffenheim on Saturday. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 1 fixture at the BayArena.
Show moreEdmond Tapsoba is one of the pillars of the Bayer 04 team. The defender is now in his seventh season with the Werkself and taking on a new role as a leader on and off the pitch. Talking to Werkself Magazine, the 26-year-old Burkina Faso international explains the increased demands placed on his position within the team, his role as a “big brother” and why the squad’s overhaul is an opportunity for him and the team.
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