Back
2.02.2024Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #SVDB04: ‘Great respect for the coach and the spirit of the team’

The league leaders entertain the team bottom of the table: SV Darmstadt 98 face Bayer 04 at the BayArena on Saturday 3 February (kick-off: 15.30 CET/live on Sky and on Werkself Radio) on Bundesliga Matchday 20. Ahead of the game, head coach Xabi Alonso sounded a warning about the battling approach of the newly promoted team currently involved in a relegation battle.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

"The position in the table is irrelevant to us. Anything is possible in football," said Alonso at the start of the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. The Spaniard sees Darmstadt as a team who "play with passion, fighting spirit and good motivation." Alonso will prepare his team for an intense encounter: "We have to control this emotional part of the game well. I've played at that stadium. There's always a good atmosphere there. Darmstadt are currently fighting very hard to avoid relegation. I have great respect for the coach and the spirit of the team."

Alonso: "great to have more options again"

The Werkself, who will complete the final pre-match training session on Friday afternoon, will then set off for Darmstadt. For the match against the Lilies, Alonso will again be able to call on Edmond Tapsoba and Amine Adli who have returned from the Africa Cup of Nations. Both went out of AFCON this week at the Round of 16 stage and they were back in Leverkusen on Thursday. The Spaniard refused to say whether the two Werkself players would feature against Darmstadt: "They've come back in good shape and are fit. They know situations like this. They will train with us again for the first time. For us it's really great to have more options again."

Alonso also kept his cards close to his chest with regard to other players who might find a place in the starting line-up. The head coach said of the winter signing Borja Iglesias: "He is fit and a good player with brilliant motivation. That's very important to us." On Granit Xhaka , who is currently on four yellow cards, Alonso said: “We'll see if he plays. We definitely have enough players to make that decision. Everybody's well prepared."

Alonso on Palacios: "want to take it at right pace"

Alonso will have to manage without Odilon Kossounou, who is still at AFCON, plus the injured players Victor Boniface, Arthur and Exequiel Palacios. In response to a question about the fitness of the Argentinian World Cup winner, Alonso said: "He's doing better. We are hoping for a quick recovery but we want to take it at the right pace and not be too hasty. We will watch his progress day by day. We remain positive."

1,700 Bayer 04 fans will support the Werkself in Darmstadt. The allocation has been sold out. There will be no away ticket office at the game.

Related News

Begegnungslogo Union Berlin
Bundesliga - 18.03.2025

Tickets for the home game against Union Berlin

The Werkself play Union Berlin at the BayArena on Bundesliga Matchday 29 in the 2020/25 season. The match on Saturday, 12 April, kicks off at 15:30 CEST. Information on ticket sales.

Show more
Begegnung FC Augsburg
Bundesliga - 18.03.2025

Tickets for the home game against FC Augsburg

The Werkself play FC Augsburg at the BayArena on Bundesliga Matchday 31 in the 2020/25 season. The schedule for the match remains to be confirmed. Information on ticket sales.

Show more
Loreen Bender bejubelt ihr Tor
Women - 16.03.2025

Women put six past Werder Bremen and set points record

The Bayer 04 Women's team impressively made amends against Werder Bremen one month after the unfortunate exit from the DFB Pokal at the quarter-finals stage. The team led by coach Roberto Pätzold clocked up a an emphatic 6-0 victory on Sunday afternoon. The outstanding Loreen Bender forced the first goal from a corner (2'), scored the second with an excellent long-range effort (39') and brilliantly set up the third goal. Carolin Kehrer netted a brace (50', 55'), with Cornelia Kramer (76') and Delice Boboy (79') also getting on the scoresheet. The afternoon was rounded off perfectly for the Leverkusen Women with a win that gives them 36 points from 17 games setting a new points record in their time in the Bundesliga.

Show more
MHP Arena
Bundesliga - 16.03.2025

Matchday news #VfBB04: Over 3,000 Werkself fans in Stuttgart on Sunday night

The Werkself are away to VfB Stuttgart on Bundesliga Matchday 26. Today's game at the MHP Arena on Sunday night, 16 March, kicks off at 19:30 CET. Catch up on the latest information on the clash with last season's runners-up in today's matchday news.

Show more