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The Werkself face "one of the toughest away games of the season. It's always difficult to play there," said Alonso at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. "They absolutely deserve their position in the table (ninth, ed.). In the 2-1 win for FCH in Bremen, Alonso identified the strength of the next opponents in three areas: "They were top with set pieces, in counter-attacks and they have a brilliant team spirit. That all makes Heidenheim very dangerous." In addition, head coach Frank Schmidt is "a brilliant person and a great coach with a huge passion for football."
For the first time this year, Alonso is able to include Odilon Kossounou in the matchday squad for the game against Heidenheim. The defender won the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast in his home country a few days ago and he will train with his Leverkusen teammates again for the first time today. Alonso: "We are all very happy for Odi and we congratulated him on his return yesterday. He's come back in very good spirits and he had a brilliant tournament."
While Granit Xhaka, who received a knock in the game against Bayern Munich, is ready for the match in Heidenheim, Exequiel Palacios is still sidelined. Also unavailable are the injured players Arthur and Victor Boniface.
The Werkself go into the game against FC Heidenheim with a boost on the back of wins against the top teams from Stuttgart (3-2 in the DFB-Pokal quarter-final) and Munich (3-0 in the Bundesliga home game). "We're not looking back but are fully focused on the next challenge. Only the next game counts for us – that's how we've approached it from the start of the season," declared Alonso whose team will have the support of 2,000 travelling fans in a full away end at the Voith Arena.
Asked about his father Periko Alonso, who was also a Spain international and professional coach, Bayer 04 head coach said: "Of course, football is always on the agenda in my house. We regularly talk about games and opponents. His opinion is the most important thing for me, he has a big influence on me and is my big role model. He always finds the right words and always remains calm."

Newcastle United have amassed nine points after five matchdays, one more in the UEFA Champions League than the Werkself. The Magpies are also steadily improving in the Premier League, where they're currently unbeaten in four games. On Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21:00 CET), Eddie Howe's side will be the visitors at the BayArena. He's also likely to field two Germany internationals in the game. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The situation ahead of the showdown is clear - and promising. The Bayer 04 U19s host Newcastle United on the sixth and final matchday of the 2025/26 UEFA Youth League phase. A win at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium would see the Werkself go through to the knockout stages of the competition for the first time. Ahead of the clash on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 14:00 CET/livestream on bayer04.de and in the Bayer 04 app), coach Kevin Brok spoke about the successful build-up, his assessment of the match and the danger of underestimating the already eliminated English side.
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The Werkself will host VfB Stuttgart at the BayArena on matchday 16 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The game is on Saturday, 10 January, at 18:30 CET. Information on ticket sales.
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The Werkself will host Werder Bremen at the BayArena on matchday 19 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The game is on Saturday, 24 January, at 15:30 CET. Information on ticket sales.
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In the sixth and final match of the league phase of the UEFA Youth League 2025/26, the Bayer 04 U19s have a great opportunity to advance to the knockout phase of Europe’s most prestigious youth competition for the first time. To achieve that under their own steam, they will need a win against Newcastle United at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 14:00 CET/ free admission). In an interview with bayer04.de, managing director sport Simon Rolfes analyses the team's performances so far and their special situation. And the 43-year-old reveals what he would be happy to do without on the day of the match.
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