Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.
The double season is behind us as Xabi Alonso looks forward. "Like all teams we are starting with no points. Last season's success does not give us anything for the new campaign," said the Spaniard at the pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon. "We have to start picking up points again and work hard to achieve that."
The Werkself will go into the first game of the new Bundesliga season with great anticipation and motivation. "It's special to play in an opening match. The stadium in Mönchengladbach is big, there will be a special atmosphere – also thanks to our many fans at the game," said Alonso whose team will have the backing of 5,000 supporters in a full away end at Borussia Park.
The last meeting of the Werkself and Borussia Mönchengladbach at the BayArena at the end of January ended goalless. The team under former Leverkusen head coach Gerardo Seoane adopted a more defensive approach back then. Alonso is not expecting the same on Friday night: "Above all in attack, they have signed new players like Tim Kleindienst (FC Heidenheim 1846, ed.). It will be a different game from the one at the start of the year."
Alonso is ignoring the fact the Werkself are seen by many pundits as favourites for this match and the new Bundesliga season ahead. The 42-year-old coach: "Those opinions don't mean a thing. For me FC Bayern are the favourites again this term. Our clear target is the top four. The first thing for us is to make a good start to the season. And I feel good about that."
Bayer 04 signed three new players in the summer in Aleix Garcia, Jeanuel Belocian and Martin Terrier. Alonso responded to a question about them as follows: "Their quality and mentality are top and they have taken our style of play on board. I'm happy with the squad and the players."
The question of whether any of the new trio will be in the starting line-up against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday night was left unanswered as was the choice up front between Patrik Schick and Victor Boniface. And the Spaniard did not want to give anything away about his choice of keeper: "The decision of whether Lukas (Hradecky) or Matej (Kovar) will start remains open – but you will see tomorrow night. It's also not a decision for the whole season and we'll see what happens. Both are ready."
Full-back Julia Mickenhagen is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the end of the season to join Bundesliga newcomers VfB Stuttgart. The 21-year-old’s contract with the club expires on 30 June.
Show more
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 3-1 win at RB Leipzig on the 25th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
Show more
The Werkself need a win in their penultimate match of the season at RB Leipzig on Monday evening (18:00 CEST) to keep their hopes of third place alive until the final day. After Eintracht Frankfurt lost on Saturday, Roberto Pätzold's side can close the gap on their rivals to two points and leave it all to play for next Sunday.
Show more
Werkself fans from across the New York City area gathered Saturday morning at Smithfield Hall in Manhattan to cheer on Bayer 04 in the club’s crucial Bundesliga showdown against VfB Stuttgart given the match’s big implications.
Show more
In the next head-to-head clash for the Champions League places at VfB Stuttgart, Bayer 04 failed to follow up their impressive 4-1 win at home to RB Leipzig from the week before. After Aleix Garcia gave the Werkself the lead with their fastest goal of the season, the Swabians turned the game around and won 3-1, knocking Leverkusen down into sixth place. It leaves them needing a win at home to Hamburger SV and other results to go their way on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign in order to reclaim fourth spot. The Werkself Review has all the analysis and reaction from all those involved in an eventful encounter with VfB.
Show more
