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8.03.2024Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #B04WOB: 'with self-criticism and reflection' into the next intense match

The Werkself face the next challenge in the Bundesliga after the 2-2 draw in the Europa League Round of 16 first leg away to Qarabag. The Black and Reds entertain VfL Wolfsburg on Bundesliga Matchday 25 at the BayArena on Sunday, 10 March (kick-off: 19.30 CET/live on DAZN and Werkself Radio). Ahead of the match, head coach Xabi Alonso made a self-critical assessment of the draw against Qarabag with the Spaniard sounding a warning about a battling Wolves side in Sunday's league clash with Wolfsburg.

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The subject up for discussion at the press conference on Friday morning ahead of the return to Leverkusen for the Werkself group was initially the hard-fought draw against Qarabag. Alonso: "We always want to play well and entertain a lot. But that's not possible sometimes. We made a few mistakes yesterday and had little control. There are things to improve. We are always self-critical. Even when we win, we know that not everything went well. We always reflect. We will use the time on board the plane to do our office work."

Alonso: "not a new dynamic"

Attention then turned to the Bundesliga match against the Wolves on Sunday. The team from Lower Saxony are currently in poor form and have yet to win a match this year. VfL have gone nine games without a win. Alonso: "We don't have much time to prepare for the game but that's not a new dynamic for us. It will be a tough challenge. Wolfsburg are not in the table where they could possibly deserve to be." The Wolves are thirteenth with 25 points from 24 games and recently they have been involved in some tight matches where they did not lose by more than one goal.

Alonso is therefore expecting VfL Wolfsburg to be tough and physical opponents: "They always play with great intensity, are strong in transition, are compact and they have lots of possibilities in terms of personnel. We need good energy for Sunday and we have lots of fresh players for that. I say again and again, we need the whole squad!" The Spanish head coach will only have to manage without Arthur and Victor Boniface on Sunday.

home sections sold out

Ahead of the Sunday night game against the Wolves, the home sections are sold out and 750 fans are expected to travel from Wolfsburg. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio.

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