"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.
Following the Bundesliga clash against RB Leipzig (Sunday, 20 September, 15:30 CEST), some of the Werkself first team players will be heading off for the first international break of the season. Here is an overview of the Bayer 04 players called up for their national teams and all the details of their upcoming matches.
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A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
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The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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