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"We are happy that all our players have returned from international duty fit and well. We don't have much time now but that's the normal dynamic," declared Alonso at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. Following the international break, today's training session will be the first and the last where the Spaniard has his whole squad available. Alonso therefore talked about the need for "express preparation" on the training ground.
Despite the short amount of time, there is great anticipation both amongst the players and the coach. Alonso: "We're happy to get going again. We'll face a good opponent. The last two matches against Hoffenheim were tight (3-2, 2-1, ed.). It will be a tough and difficult match. We have to be organised and in control – with the ball and above all without it. We need the highest possible level of concentration for the whole game and that was missing against Leipzig (2-3, ed.).”
Like the Werkself, Hoffenheim have started the new Bundesliga season with a win (3-2 against Holstein Kiel) and a defeat (3-1 against Eintracht Frankfurt). Andrej Kramaric did score a hat-trick against Holstein Kiel and another goal against Eintracht Frankfurt. In addition to the on form Kramaric, the recently transferred Adam Hlozek adds strength to the TSG attack. Alonso said about Hlozek: "We are happy to see him again so quickly. Of course, we know him well, he's a battler and has a good shot. At Hoffenheim he is now in a good situation and he will get a lot of time on the pitch."
Alonso also had positive news about his own players: "Jerry (Jeremie Frimpong, ed.) is with us tomorrow. Pala (Exequiel Palacios, ed.) is making good progress.” Frimpong left the Netherlands squad early during the international break for personal reasons. Alonso also talked about Nordi Mukiele: "He trained very well during the international break and made best use of the time. He has a good attitude and more and more understands our system and our style of play."
The Werkself can look forward to outstanding backing tomorrow. Bayer 04 are expecting 4,000 travelling fans to make the journey to TSG. Bayer 04 have taken up all the away allocation. The Nordkurve12 fan group has called on all fans making the journey to Sinsheim to wear the Werkself jersey.
The Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..
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The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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