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"We were able to take a number of positives from it," stressed Xabi Alonso in a brief reflection on his team's dominant display in the goalless draw against FC Bayern Munich last weekend. However, the Spaniard also made clear: "Tomorrow against Kiel will be a very different match, and perhaps in view of the condition of the pitch it won't be the prettiest. What remains the same is that we have to put in everything again. We need the same mentality as against Bayern."
The previous meeting against Kiel in October was also a subject of discussion at the press conference on Friday lunchtime. The Werkself were held to a 2-2 draw at the BayArena after squandering an early 2-0 lead. "Those experiences play an important role in our preparation for tomorrow," commented Alonso. "I've seen a lot of their games. It's going to be hard-fought. We need to be ready."
On his side's transformation since that match nearly five months ago, he said: "We didn't have the consistency in our play that we have now - especially when in front. We've undergone a positive development in our play and in terms of our desire and mentality."
With regards to personnel, Alonso told the media that Nathan Tella remains a doubt: "He has slight muscular problems in the hip area. It's not an injury but we need to wait and see."
Meanwhile, the defensive trio of Nordi Mukiele, Edmond Tapsoba and Piero Hincapie each go into the game on four yellow cards, one away from a suspension. "That doesn't have any bearing on the team selection," stated Alonso. "Nor in our minds: we have to go into every tackle with full commitment. If someone gets suspended, someone else will play. We trust every individual."
The Werkself will be supported by 1,700 fans for their first Bundesliga meeting in Kiel, with the away section sold out.
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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