Back
29.11.2024Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #FCUB04: 'Keep the positive feeling going'

This weekend the Werkself are away to Union Berlin after two home wins across competitions. Ahead of the match on Saturday, 30 November (kick-off: 15.30 CET/live on Sky and on Werkself Radio), head coach Xabi Alonso talked about the opponents from Berlin, the boost from the wins and two returnees to the matchday squad.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

"We have recovered physically and mentally," said Xabi Alonso on Friday afternoon, three days after the 5-0 win against FC Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League. "We want to keep the positive feeling from the last games going. We also feel good for tomorrow even though we can expect a tough challenge."

As usual for the match at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, the Spaniard is expecting "a very physical game with lots of duels. We have to be ready for that. But we want to put our ideas into effect on the pitch and play our own game – and in the best case scenario keep a clean sheet as we did against Salzburg."

Belocian and Mukiele set to return

As announced by Alonso at the pre-match press conference, the recently injured defenders Jeanuel Belocian and Nordi Mukiele are expected to return to the matchday squad. Martin Terrier is not available for the game against Union Berlin but "may possibly be back in Munich," said Alonso continuing the positive squad update.

The Werkself will have the support of 2,400 fans in Berlin with the away section sold out.

Related News

Lobke Loonen trifft zum 1:0
Women - 01.08.2026

Home kit debut: Women’s team win friendly against Genk

With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.

Show more
Die Werkself bejubelt das 1:0
Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

Werkself beat Essen 3-0 in friendly ahead of preseason training camp

A successful fourth preseason friendly ahead of the start of the training camp: The Werkself secured a 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The goals in what was a commanding and dominant performance by Leverkusen from the outset were scored by Ibrahim Maza (8'), Patrik Schick from the penalty spot (23’) and, in the second half, Montrell Culbreath with a header (79’). The team set off for their training camp in Blankenhain in the Weimarer Land region after the game.

Show more
Rudi Vollborn
Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

Rudi recounts…: Vollborn August highlights

Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personal Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…

Show more
„Werkself des Vierteljahrhunderts“
Bayer 04 - 30.07.2026

Werkself Team of the Quarter-Century: Wirtz and Alonso top the poll – Tapsoba and Rolfes in starting XI

You have voted – your ‘Team of the Quarter-Century’ has been decided! This historic selection, covering the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2024, features honorary captains, Bundesliga champions, double winners and Champions League finalists. Edmond Tapsoba is the only player from the current Bayer 04 squad to make it into the starting XI, while his team-mate Patrik Schick is on the bench. Simon Rolfes, the current managing director sport, is also in the lie-up. A truly special team that brings together a quarter of a century of Bayer 04 history – and has left a decisive mark on the club.

Show more
Malik Tillman im Training
Bayer 04 - 30.07.2026

Tillman back in Leverkusen after World Cup with the USA

Following Patrik Schick, Mark Flekken, Ibrahim Maza and Kerim Alajbegovic earlier this week, the next World Cup participant is back on the training ground in Leverkusen: On Thursday 30 July, Malik Tillman rejoined the squad, completing his first training session under head coach Carles Martínez.

Show more