"After the cup exit, we're now in a different situation and fully focused on the league," stressed Alonso, outlining the strategy for the rest of the season. "We're still in an interesting position in it. There are seven games left and we want to be ready for every one. We want to win all these matches, starting tomorrow."
An honest assessment of the 2-1 defeat at Arminia Bielefeld in the DFB Cup semi-finals was also necessary for that. "We all spoke openly together yesterday to share our emotions," revealed the Spaniard. "Above all it was about mentality and courage. Pain is normal after such a big disappointment. We've not had too many setbacks in the last 25 months - the team and I need to learn from it. It would be foolish to do otherwise. From today, though, the focus is back on football and on Heidenheim. We want to show a clear reaction tomorrow," he continued. To do that, they need "confidence on the ball and good passing sequences" again, explained Alonso.
The Bayer 04 boss also cautioned against the hosts, who have won their last two matches against Holstein Kiel (3-1) and Wolfsburg (1-0): "We expect a tough game against tough-acting opponents, similar to Bochum last week. They're fighting for survival, which we'll realise."
On the personnel front, Alonso can count on one returnee: Edmond Tapsoba is expected to be back in the squad, although no decision will be made about his involvement until after the final training session on Friday afternoon. The same goes for Exequiel Palacios.
There's also good news on Florian Wirtz: the 21-year-old is joining in with the first part of the activation in today's final training session. "If everything continues to go well, he'll train with the team again next week, but we're waiting to see."
The Werkself will be supported by 2,000 fans in Heidenheim.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 4-0 win at SGS Essen on the 24th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Bayer 04 put in a brilliant performance to beat RB Leipzig 4-1 on Bundesliga matchday 32 and are now fourth in a Champions League spot. The Black and Reds took control of the game right from the start and, with 75 per cent possession at one stage, took a 2-0 lead into the break through Patrik Schick (25’) and Nathan Tella (45+1’). The visitors initially tried to do more after the break, but the Werkself remained determined and Schick scored his second goal to increase the lead to 3-0 (76'). The Red Bulls pulled a goal back through Christoph Baumgartner (80'), but the disciplined Leverkusen side were not rattled - and certainly not Schick: The Czechia international crowned a brilliant display with his third goal shortly before the final whistle to make the final score 4-1.
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In the previous game against RB Leipzig in December last year, the Werkself turned came from behind to win 3-1 and further improved Leverkusen's already strong record against the Red Bulls. Montrell Culbreath stood out with his first goal on his debut for the Black and Reds. While the 18-year-old would certainly like to score a second goal against Leipzig on Saturday night, the attack-minded visitors come to the BayArena in confident mood after five Bundesliga victories in a row. The Nordkurve12 supporters group knows the Werkself will therefore once again be reliant on the vociferous support of the fans, and has once again called for the ‘Finally Red’ campaign in the run-in. Today’s matchday news.
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Video games manufacturer Electronic Arts (EA), together with the German Football League (DFL), announced the top male and female selections for the 2025/26 Bundesliga season this week. Bayer 04 striker Vanessa Fudalla is in the starting eleven of the women's "Team of the Season". Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia have been selected as bench players in the men's team.
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