"We have recovered and are motivated for the next challenge in the Bundesliga," declared Xabi Alonso three days after the Champions League match at Liverpool (0-4). "Whether it's against Liverpool or Bochum, we always prepare in the same way. What we need are concentration and the right mentality over the whole game. If we can do that then we’ll go into the international break feeling positive."
Before that, the Werkself face a tricky task at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion. VfL Bochum are currently bottom with one point from nine games and share the worst start to a season in Bundesliga history (alongside Fürth in 2021/22 and Saarbrücken in the first Bundesliga season in 1963/64). Alonso: "The table and Bochum's number of points are irrelevant, it's always difficult at VfL. They have a clear DNA marked by high intensity and lots of passion with the atmosphere at the stadium also always playing a role."
In addition, Bochum have brought in a new head coach in Dieter Hecking who has plenty of experience in the Bundesliga. The 60-year-old coach, up until May the sporting managing director at FC Nürnberg, took over the coaching role at VfL at the start of the week and he will be in the dugout for the first time against the Werkself.
As was the case in Liverpool, Martin Terrier is not fit for the game against Bochum. Alonso on the French forward: "He won't be in the squad even though he already feels much better. If everything goes as planned then he will be back against Heidenheim after the international break."
Nordi Mukiele, Jeanuel Belocian and Amine Adli also remain on the sidelines. The latter extended his contract at Bayer 04 on Friday to run to 2028. Alonso on the Morocco international currently out with a broken leg: "He's very important on the pitch and in the dressing room. He has a great connection to his teammates, he speaks lots of languages. I and we are all happy that he'll stay here for a long time."
2,750 fans will support the Werkself in Bochum with the away section sold out. The fan information can be found HERE.
Bayer 04 and Olympiacos had only met twice before the current UEFA Champions campaign. After the encounter on Matchday 7 of this season’s league phase, the Werkself travel to face the Greek side for the second time in just four weeks for the knockout play-off first leg. The Black and Reds were dominant for large spells in mid-January but lost 2-0 after missing a number of presentable chances. The Werkself aim to do better on Wednesday night to “seize the chance for revenge,” as managing director sport Simon Rolfes put it. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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A bitter end to the fifth showdown of the 2025/26 VBL Club Championship as the #B04eSports team failed to take any points in the three remaining matches of the preliminary online round of the fifth and final showdown, missing out on the offline round. They can no longer take points in the overall table. Bayer 04 slipped out on the top eight, so direct participation in the final event for the German Club Championship is no longer possible, with Bayer 04 having to contest the play-offs.
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A rematch in Athens: On Wednesday, 18 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET), the Werkself face Greek double winners Olympiacos for the second time this season at the Karaiskakis Stadium. After the encounter in the league phase, it's now time for the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-offs. Ahead of the game, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about how his side will approach the clash, while captain Robert Andrich explained how the team will try to dampen the atmosphere in the stadium tomorrow.
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With the much-celebrated 2-1 derby win against 1. FC Köln, the Bayer 04 Women underlined their credentials as one of the top teams in the Bundesliga. Anyone wishing to support the Werkself in the stadium in the race for third place can now purchase tickets for the home match against FC Carl Zeiss Jena. Tickets are also still available for the upcoming clash against TSG Hoffenheim at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Sunday, 22 February. The latest information at a glance.
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Let's give it our all one more time! Today, Tuesday 17 February (live on the VBL Twitch channel from 18:00 CET), the #B04eSports team play the remaining three preliminary round matches of the fifth and final showdown of the VBL Club Championship 2025/26. The Leverkusen console pros go up against 1. FC Nürnberg, 1. FC Magdeburg and Bayern Munich, aiming to secure their place in the offline knockout round and pick up valuable points for the overall table and the battle to get into the final event for the German Club Championship. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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