Back
14.03.2025Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #VfBB04: ‘Associate intense and emotional games with Stuttgart’

The final game before the international break takes Bayer 04 to Swabia. Ahead of the away game at VfB Stuttgart on Sunday, 16 March (kick-off: 19:30 CET), head coach Xabi Alonso talked about an "emotional" clash with last season’s runners-up and also provided an update on his squad.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

"Win, draw or lose – we approach every game the same way and always prepare as well as we can," said Alonso at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. Asked about the run of three defeats, the Spaniard added: "It's the same pressure before every game in this phase of the season. Also because our aim is always the same: We want to win every game."„

That is the approach for the clash with VfB Stuttgart, currently 16 points behind the Werkself in eighth place. Alonso on Stuttgart: "We will face a very good opponent who we associate with tough, intensive and also emotional games. I like those sort of games and I'm expecting a similar one on Sunday. For me they are one of the best teams in Germany with a very good coach and a clear approach to their game."

Trio INCLUDING Hermoso sidelined

In addition to Jeanuel Belocian, Martin Terrier and Florian Wirtz, now Mario Hermoso, Edmond Tapsoba and Nathan Tella are also ruled out of the game against VfB Stuttgart. With Hermoso, who suffered a shoulder injury in the second leg against Bayern Munich, "it's still not clear how bad the injury is. There are more tests that couldn't be made because he is still experiencing pain."

Live on DAZN and Werkself Radio

The match between the runners-up and the champions of last season will be broadcast live on DAZN and Werkself Radio. 3,200 fans are expected to get behind the Werkself in the away end at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart.

Related News

Trainingslager im Weimarer Land
Bayer 04 - 23.07.2026

Meet the legends, pub quiz and more: events fans can look forward to at the summer training camp

Plenty going on both on and off the pitch: The Bayer 04 fan support team has organised a number of highlights for fans visiting the Werkself 2026/27 summer training camp in Blankenhain, in the Weimarer Land region. Registration for the events is now open. All the details at a glance.

Show more
Paulina Platner, Ronny Schausten, Lilla Turanyi und Carolin Simon
Women - 23.07.2026

s2-Software remains Bayer 04 Women’s team sleeve sponsor

The Bayer 04 Leverkusen Women’s team and s2-Software are continuing their long-term partnership: The Werkself and the provider of pre-owned Microsoft licences have extended their contract by two years to 2028. This means s2-Software will remain the Bayer 04 sleeve sponsor for all matches in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga.

Show more
Partnerschaft der Bayer 04-Frauen mit BIOGENA
Women - 22.07.2026

BIOGENA new performance partner for Bayer 04 Women

BIOGENA is the new performance partner for the Bayer 04 Leverkusen Women’s team. Under a partnership initially set to run for three years, the club and the leading Austrian micronutrient company are pooling their expertise in the areas of health, fitness and top-level performance.

Show more
Kids-PK mit Janis Blaswich und Simeon Rapsch
Football Academy - 22.07.2026

‘I was a striker for a long time’: Kids’ press conference with Blaswich and Rapsch

100 children from the Bayer 04 Football Academy had the chance to gain exclusive insights: As part of the summer camp, the young footballers headed inside the BayArena at midday on Tuesday, 21 July, where they were due to meet Werkself keepers Janis Blaswich and Simeon Rapsch in the press conference room. The two players took plenty of time to answer every question from the inquisitive audience – whether it was about their own careers or their first impressions of the new head coach. Finally, there was even time left to sign autographs for the young fans.

Show more
Bayer 04 vs. Rot-Weiss EssenNach Jena-Absage: Bayer 04 testet am 1. August im UHS gegen Rot-Weiss Essen
Bayer 04 - 21.07.2026

Bayer 04 to play Rot-Weiss Essen on 1 August in rearranged friendly

Following the cancellation of Bayer 04’s scheduled friendly against Carl Zeiss Jena on 1 August, the Werkself have now found a new opponent for the same day and will host Rot-Weiss Essen of the 3. Liga at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. Kick-off is at 11:00 CEST and tickets are available now.

Show more