Back
18.08.2023Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of league opener: 'We feel the anticipation at every level'

The Werkself entertain RB Leipzig at the BayArena in the opener to the new Bundesliga season on Saturday 19 August (kick-off: 15.30 CEST). For the game against the winners of the DFL Supercup, head coach Xabi Alonso has big plans, wants to make a good start to the season with a convincing performance – and, above all, for the Bayer 04 fans too.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

"We're playing against top opponents in good form," declared head coach Xabi Alonso at the start of the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. The 41-year-old knows the strengths of the Leipzig team and warned accordingly of the playing style of the team from Saxony. "Marco Rose (RB Leipzig head coach, ed.) has put together a strong team since he's been at Leipzig and they are pursuing a very convincing way of playing that was impressively demonstrated in the Supercup." In the clash between the champions and the DFB Pokal winners, RB Leipzig beat Bayern Munich 3-0 to secure the first trophy of the 2023/24 season.

control and Mentality for the new season

The Werkself can go into Saturday's game in confident mood having impressed in the 8-0 DFB Pokal win against FC Teutonia 05 Ottensen. For the league opener, Alonso is calling for a controlled and thoughtful performance from his team: "We want to build a mentality from tomorrow that we can take with us through the season."

In the opening match against the Leipzig team the absentees are Patrik Schick and Sardar Azmoun plus the suspended Piero Hincapie and Amine Adli. Gustavo Puerta, who missed the DFB Pokal tie in Hamburg due to a hand operation, will be back in the squad for Saturday’s game.

Alonso: "we need support in every game"

On the current euphoric atmosphere at Bayer 04 Alonso declared: "We feel the anticipation from the fans for the new season and we are equally excited about tomorrow and all the games ahead. There's an outstanding mood and energy at the moment – on every level."

In relation to the premature celebrations that Bayer 04 are receiving from many sides at the moment, the Spanish coach warned against an overeager performance and remarked: "We haven't got started yet. We are not naïve. Time will show where we stand. We will need the support of the fans in every match going forwards. The fans are expecting a good performance – and that's what we want to produce."

home sections sold out

The anticipation for the start of the league campaign is reflected in the attendance figures: All the home sections for the Bundesliga opener against RB Leipzig have been sold out.

Related News

Human Table Soccer
Women - 29.04.2025

Win signed Women's jerseys: Family matchday at home game against RB Leipzig

The last home game of the season for the Bayer 04 Women against RB Leipzig on Saturday (12:00 CEST) will be a special experience for fans. As part of the family matchday, Bayer 04 are offering fans a wide-ranging programme of events in and around the Ulrich Haberland Stadium similar to the game against Werder Bremen. This will include three special prizes for supporters to win.

Show more
Jubel nach dem 1:0
Bundesliga - 26.04.2025

Werkself beat Augsburg 2-0 in penultimate home game

Bayer 04 claimed a comfortable 2-0 win against Augsburg in their penultimate home game of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. Patrik Schick and Emiliano Buendia got the goals in the first half.

Show more
BayArena
Bundesliga - 26.04.2025

Matchday news #B04FCA: ‘Finally Red’ campaign for penultimate home game

Bayer 04 host Augsburg at the BayArena this Saturday for Matchday 31 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game against the 10th-placed Bavarians, including the ‘Finally Red’ fan campaign.

Show more
Die PK vor dem Heimspiel gegen den FC Augsburg | 31. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 26.04.2025

Alonso ahead of #B04FCA: “The fans deserve a good performance”

The first of the Werkself’s remaining 04 fixtures of this season comes on Saturday at home to Augsburg (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST). Ahead of the Matchday 31 encounter, head coach Xabi Alonso reflected on previous weeks, spoke about goals for the remainder of the campaign and also Jonathan Tah.

Show more
FC Augsburg
Bundesliga - 26.04.2025

Our next opponents: Happy travellers Augsburg enjoying best campaign

Augsburg have enjoyed an excellent run of form this year and come to the BayArena on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST) full of confidence as they take on the Werkself. Jess Thorup’s team boast one of the meanest defences in the Bundesliga and harbour real hope of securing European qualification this season. Here’s all you need to know about our next opponents.

Show more