Back
3.11.2023Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #TSGB04: Complete the next stage of the marathon

Mission holding on to top spot: The Werkself are away to TSG Hoffenheim on Bundesliga matchday 10 in the 2023/24 season. The clash between the league leaders from Leverkusen and the team in sixth place kicks off at 15.30 CET on Saturday 4 November at the PreZero Arena in Sinsheim. Ahead of the game, Xabi Alonso talked about TSG and his Hoffenheim fellow coaches as well as Edmond Tapsoba who was substituted during the week.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

Looking at the packed fixture list in the current phase of the season, Xabi Alonso talked about a "marathon" at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon where we "want to aim for a good result in every game." Building on the successful run of 13 wins in 14 games needs "a big squad and every individual player. We saw in Sandhausen again that nobody is giving anything away and that we must never lose our focus."

The fact Bayer 04 remain unbeaten this season is also due to strengthening the squad in the summer. "I'm a better coach when I have better players," said Alonso.

Tapsoba available for Hoffenheim game

Defender Edmond Tapsoba was substituted on 46 minutes in the 5-2 victory in Sandhausen on Wednesday. The Burkina Faso international landed on his left hand in the first half but he is available to play against Hoffenheim on Saturday. Tapsoba will wear a protective cast in the game.

3,000 Werkself Fans in Sinsheim

TSG Hoffenheim have 18 points from nine games in the Bundesliga and they already have a four-point lead in sixth place over the teams below them. In reference to Hoffenheim, Alonso talked about a "good mix of young and experienced players. There are very compact and have an intelligent style of play. That is also down to the coach (Pellegrino Matarazzo, ed.), who is doing a good job. It will be an intense game."

As with the cup tie in Sandhausen, the Werkself will have the support of 3,000 fans in Sinsheim with all the away allocation sold. No tickets will be on sale at the ground.

 

Related News

Rudi Vollborn
Bayer 04 - 01.02.2026

Rudi recounts…: Vollborn’s February highlights

Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month.

Show more
Kasper Hjulmand
Bayer 04 - 31.01.2026

Hjulmand: ‘Football is a reflection of life’ | Werkself-Magazin #54

Kasper Hjulmand has led the Werkself back to winning ways and is back in the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League with Bayer 04 after the 3-0 win against Villarreal on Wednesday evening. In an interview with the Werkself magazine at the BayArena in the team meeting room, directly opposite the dressing room, he provided some special insights for the current issue, which was published in January. A conversation with the 53-year-old coach about values, attitudes and personal experiences as well as interests outside of football.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #SGEB04
Bundesliga - 31.01.2026

Matchday news #SGEB04: Extend longest winning run - Eintracht with interim coaches

The thrilling 3-1 win for Bayer 04 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Hinrunde is a fond memory for Alejandro Grimaldo, with his brace from free kicks, and coach Kasper Hjulmand, who was in the dugout under the Cross for the first time. Now comes the return fixture in the metropolis on the River Main and after going out of the DFB Pokal and the Champions League, the full focus at Eintracht, currently managed by two interim coaches, is now on the Bundesliga. For their part, the Werkself will do everything in their power to continue the longest winning run against a Bundesliga club. The matchday news.

Show more
Artem Stepanov
Bayer 04 - 30.01.2026

Artem Stepanov recalled from Nürnberg and loaned to Utrecht

Bayer 04 have ended Artem Stepanov’s loan deal at Nürnberg and agreed a new loan to Utrecht in the Netherlands. The Ukrainian striker did not play as much as hoped for at the Bundesliga 2 club and will now continue his development in the Eredivisie for the rest of 2025/26.

Show more
B04_SoundOfDreams_Playoffs_16x9_DE.jpg
Champions League - 30.01.2026

Bayer 04 to face Olympiacos in UEFA Champions League play-offs

The draw for the knockout play-offs of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League was made on Friday, 30 January and saw Bayer 04 paired with Olympiacos. It’s a reunion with the Greek side following the Werkself’s 2-0 loss in Athens on Matchday 7 of the league phase.

Show more