Back
24.01.2025Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #RBLB04: 'An important moment in the season'

The second away game of the week takes Bayer 04 to RB Leipzig. The match between the teams lying fifth and second in the Bundesliga is on Saturday, 25 January, with the kick-off at the Red Bull Arena at 15.30 CET. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, head coach Xabi Alonso talked about the change of focus to the forthcoming clash, personnel and the all-time Bundesliga table.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

"The Bundesliga is the most important competition for us. And now it's an important moment of the season," declared Alonso at the press conference on Friday. Asked about Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Atletico Madridd the Spaniard said: "Madrid is Madrid, Leipzig is Leipzig. You can't compare two teams and two games but you have to look at them individually. Our full focus is now on Leipzig. We are expecting a tough game."

The first game against RBL at the BayArena at the start of the season ended in a 3-2 defeat after Bayer 04 went two goals up. "A lot happened in that game," said Alonso sounding a warning: "We know their qualities, both individually and as a team. They have a good coach and are a top team. We will be ready."

Mukiele fit – Adli "doing well"

As in Madrid, Victor Boniface will be in the matchday squad again in Leipzig. "He's available," said Alonso. Also on board is Nordi Mukiele who went off at half-time in the game against Atletico. Alonso also talked about Amine Adli: "He's doing well and will probably return to training next week."

Asked about possible winter signings given the long-term absence of Jeanuel Belocian (torn cruciate) and Martin Terrier (torn Achilles) Alonso said: "We have to be smart and make the right decisions calmly."

Alonso on all-time Bundesliga table

Another subject for discussion at the press conference: the all-time Bundesliga table. Bayer 04 are currently tenth just two points behind FC Köln and they could go above the Cologne side with a win in Leipzig. Alonso: "It will be something great for our fans above all. They love this club, many of them since their childhood. And the all-time Bundesliga table also shows the great history of Bayer 04."

2,900 Werkself fans will be in Leipzig. The game is live on Sky and on Werkself Radio.

 

Related News

Werkself beim Torjubel
Bayer 04 - 29.07.2026

Werkself beat Genk 4-0 in front of home crowd

In their third friendly of this pre-season, Bayer 04 played on home soil for the first time – and won there too! The Werkself claimed a comfortable 4-0 victory against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. Jeanuel Belocian (9’) and Nathan Tella (42’) gave a dominant Leverkusen a 2-0 lead at the break, which Afonso Moreira (51’) and Christian Kofane (53’) doubled after the break. Among the many second-half substitutions was Patrik Schick, who made his first friendly appearance of the summer.

Show more
Header
Bayer 04 - 29.07.2026

2026 Season launch: The programme of events

The Werkself are finally back. On Saturday 8 August, Bayer 04 kick off the 2026/27 campaign with their opening match. But there’s far more than just a double-header in store for Werkself supporters. True to the motto ‘One day. Two teams. One club’, the BayArena and the Ulrich Haberland Stadium will be transformed into a world of excitement.

Show more
LIVE ab 14.50 Uhr | Bayer 04 - KRC Genk | Testspiel
Werkself-TV - 29.07.2026

LIVE from 14:50 CEST | Bayer 04 vs KRC Genk | Friendly

The Werkself continue their 2026/27 pre-season preparations with their third friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion on Wednesday 29 July (kick-off 15:00 CEST). Werkself-TV is broadcasting the match live and in full in a stream from 14:50 CEST...

Kids-PK mit Tim Oermann und Jonah Berghoff
Football Academy - 28.07.2026

‘I wear my favourite club on my chest’: Kids’ press conference with Oermann and Berghoff

After the children from the Bayer 04 Football Academy grilled Janis Blaswich and Simeon Rapsch last week, another group of 20 young Werkself fans gathered at the BayArena press conference room on Tuesday afternoon, 28 July . This time, the kids directed their questions at Tim Oermann and Jonah Berghoff. Defender Oermann raved about his school days, whilst talented midfielder Berghoff revealed to the young footballers, amongst other things, who his favourite player is – and he is also at Bayer 04. To round things off, the pair naturally obliged with all requests for autographs and selfies.

Show more
Testspiele_Live_Uebersicht_Genk.jpg
Bayer 04 - 28.07.2026

Log on and watch live: Stream Werkself pre-season games

Bayer 04 are back on the pitch. Following the first training sessions, the Werkself play the first pre-season friendly on Saturday, July 18. The match against Oberliga club Sportfreunde Baumberg kicks off at 15:30 CEST in Monheim am Rhein. Fans unable to attend the match can watch head coach Carles Martínez’s first game in charge for free via a livestream at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app, as well as on Werkself.tv (exclusively for members). Just log on and watch the games live. All the other Werkself preseason friendlies leading up to the 2026/27 season will also be streamed live for free.

Show more