Alonso ahead of #SCFB04: Freiburg have ‘Good routines and good interaction’

"We are feeling better again now after the win against Augsburg (2-0, ed.). We want to build on those performances. At the moment it remains the second best season in the club's history and we want to continue aiming for that target," said Xabi Alonso at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.

Alonso talked about the strengths of the next opponents: "Freiburg have very good routines and good interaction with each other because most of players have been on the pitch together for a very long time. That's a big plus point."

Great Motivation for both sides

SC Freiburg are currently fourth in the table and the only team to pick up the maximum nine points on the last three matchdays. The team led by head coach Julian Schuster continue to hope to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in the club's history. Alonso: "They have that chance and they will definitely play with additional motivation. But that's not a problem for us. Because it also really motivates us when we know the opposition definitely wants to beat us."

In relation to the general position in the table and the race for European qualification, the Spaniard added: "It's very exciting to follow the race. In the last three games against Freiburg, Dortmund and Mainz we are exclusively playing opponents who are battling for European spots." They will be very intense games for us."

question mark over Boniface

For the game against Freiburg, Alonso will again have to manage without long-term injured players Jeanuel Belocian, Martin Terrier and Mario Hermoso as well as Nordi Mukiele and  Alejo Sarco.

The Spaniard reported on Victor Boniface: "He felt something in his thigh yesterday and he didn't train today. We'll have to wait and see if he's available for Sunday."

On Ibrahim Maza, who joins Bayer 04 for the 2025/26 campaign on a contract to 2030, Alonso said: "He is a young but nevertheless experienced player of high quality. He has great potential and can develop well at Bayer 04 and the club is right behind that too. Therefore he fits in really well here."

strong Support at penultimate away game

2,400 Werkself fans will get behind their team at the Europa Park Stadion on Sunday. Supporters, who are unable to be in the away section in the penultimate away game of the season, can watch it live on DAZN. As usual, Werkself Radio and the live text commentary service are available on bayer04.de as well as on the Bayer 04 app.