Back
27.08.2024Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #FCCB04: ‘The first cup game is always special’

The Werkself start the DFB Pokal in 2024/25 tomorrow night, Wednesday 28 August (kick-off: 18.00 CEST), with a first round tie away to Regional League side FC Carl Zeiss Jena. Ahead of the match at the Ernst Abbe Sportfeld, head coach Xabi Alonso shared his views on confident opponents from Jena as well as his own squad ahead of tomorrow's match.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

"We are looking forward to the Pokal, the first game is always special and exciting. We have to be well-prepared," said Alonso at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon. The tie on Wednesday night will be the third meeting of the two clubs in competitive matches. Both previous games were in the DFB Pokal and each ended in wins for the Werkself.

Tomorrow's game will definitely not be a walkover as Alonso stressed. The Spaniard sees the league leaders from the Regional League North East as being in a "good moment". The team under head coach Henning Bürger have won all five league matches this term with new striker Erik Weinhauer in the spotlight having already scored ten goals.

Alonso: "confidence in every player"

The Werkself will have the support of 1,600 fans in the Pokal opener in Jena with the full away allocation taken up. Xabi Alonso has several players missing at the moment. In addition to the suspended Victor Boniface and Martin Terrier, Odilon Kossounou is also ruled out for the red card he was shown in last season's cup final against Kaiserslautern (1-0). Exequiel Palacios, who is still in rehab, is also unavailable. Asked about a possible comeback for the World Cup and two-time Copa América winner, Alonso said: "We hope to have Pala back after the international break – that is the plan at least."

Asked about current personnel, Alonso added: "We have a big squad with lots of options. Rotation in the team will be important again this season as it was in the last. I have confidence in every individual player."

Related News

Kurzpässe vor #TSGB04
Bundesliga - 17.01.2026

Matchday News #TSGB04: Hoping to extend highest away win rate

The meeting between fifth and sixth on Saturday afternoon (17 January, 15:30 CET) is a hard one to predict. While the Werkself can take confidence from their historic record at TSG Hoffenheim, the hosts are currently enjoying their second-best Bundesliga campaign and have lost just one of their last 10 games. Another good omen for Bayer 04: Daniel Schlager also refereed Leverkusen's last victory in Sinsheim (4-1). The Matchday News.

Show more
Jubel der Werkself
Women - 16.01.2026

3-0 against Servette FCCF: Women impress at end of winter training camp

At the end of the winter training camp in Portugal, the Bayer 04 Women convincingly mastered their friendly ahead of the start of the second half of the season. In the match against Swiss league leaders Servette FCCF, coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 3-0 at the Monte Gordo Sports Complex. Carlotta Wamser (4’), Vanessa Fudalla (18’) and Loreen Bender (53’) scored for Bayer 04, who have been preparing for the Rückrunde in the Algarve since last Saturday.

Show more
HSVB04
Bundesliga - 16.01.2026

Postponed match at Hamburger SV rescheduled

The German Football League (DFL) has rescheduled the postponed fixture at Hamburger SV on Bundesliga matchday 17. The match, due to be played on Tuesday, has now been rescheduled for Wednesday, 4 March (kick-off: 20:30 CET).

Show more
Die PK vor dem Auswärtsspiel in Sinsheim | 18. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 16.01.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #TSGB04: ‘All the more fire and energy for Hoffenheim’

The Rückrunde is about to begin: The Werkself travel to TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday, 17 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET) on Bundesliga matchday 18. At the pre-match press conference on Friday lunchtime, head coach Kasper Hjulmand emphasised the double anticipation for the clash following Tuesday's postponement of the fixture at Hamburger SV. And he also talked about the tactical approach against an opponent on course for Champions League qualification.

Show more
Kramaric
Bundesliga - 16.01.2026

Our next opponents: Kramaric and Co. dream of Champions League qualification

TSG Hoffenheim have had a tremendous season so far and are in absolute top form going into the new year. After another outstanding display against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Wednesday, TSG went above Bayer 04 in the table. On Saturday, 17 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET), coach Christian Ilzer's team will be looking to continue their run in the league against the Werkself. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more