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

Tobias Ufer, Gonzalo Castro, Stefan Kießling and Rüdiger Vollborn
Fans - 13.03.2026

'Rudi invites you': Successful premiere with Castro and Kießling

High spirits and previously untold stories: Around 100 Bayer 04 fans packed the Schwadbud fan pub in the east stand of the BayArena on Thursday evening to be there in person for the first instalment of the new series of events entitled “Rudi lädt ein” (Rudi invites you). They listened intently as long-serving Werkself players Gonzalo Castro and Stefan Kießling chatted with record appearance-maker Rüdiger Vollborn and presenter and stadium announcer Tobias Ufer about their many years together at the club, shared amusing anecdotes and revealed dressing room secrets. Anyone who missed the premiere can already look forward to the second instalment – on 12 May, Rudi will be testing the expert knowledge of Bayer 04 fans during a quiz night.

Show more
Besprechung im Training
Women - 13.03.2026

'Match them as equals when it's 11 vs. 11': Women out for revenge at Wolfsburg for reverse fixture defeat

The Bundesliga home game against VfL Wolfsburg in the first half of the season was one of those classic ‘days to forget’ for Bayer 04 Women. It started with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll being shown a red card in the first minute of the game, and following a further sending-off, coach Roberto Pätzold's 9-women side ended up losing 5-1 to last season's runners-up. At 18.30 CET on Sunday, they'll have the chance to exact revenge at the AOK Stadium - and pick up valuable points in the race for third place.

Show more
Jubel von Sofie Zdebel
Women - 12.03.2026

February Goal of the Month: Derby stunner from Sofie Zdebel nominated

Sofie Zdebel is up for the Goal of the Month award for February on ARD-Sportschau. Fans have until 21 March (19:00 CET) to vote for the Germany U23 international's volley to make it 2-0 in the Bayer 04 Women's derby against FC Köln (2-1).

Show more
PerNaturam wird neuer Partner der Bayer 04-Frauen
Women - 12.03.2026

Feed manufacturer PerNaturam is new Bayer 04 Women’s team partner

Bayer 04 Leverkusen are further expanding their partner network: The feed manufacturer PerNaturam is an official sponsor of the Bayer 04 Womens team. The partnership opens up a wide range of opportunities for the company to position its brand in the Bundesliga environment.

Show more
Training beim Juniorinnen-Talenttag
Women - 12.03.2026

Junior talent day in spring: Open trials on 12 April

Do you dream of wearing the Bayer cross on your chest? To play in black and red like your role models Loreen Bender, Cornelia Kramer, Kristin Kögel and co. from the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga? Then take your chance now! Our female youth teams are once again on the lookout for new talent. That's why Bayer 04 are organising a talent day on 12 April 2026 for the first time this year with trials for female juniors.

Show more