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

Julia Mickenhagen verlässt Bayer 04
Women - 12.05.2026

Julia Mickenhagen to move to VfB Stuttgart

Full-back Julia Mickenhagen is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the end of the season to join Bundesliga newcomers VfB Stuttgart. The 21-year-old’s contract with the club expires on 30 June.

Show more
Women keep Champions League hopes alive with win in Leipzig | 25th matchday
Werkself-TV - 11.05.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 3-1 win at RB Leipzig

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 3-1 win at RB Leipzig on the 25th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Zweikampf im Training
Women - 10.05.2026

Bayer 04 Women looking to keep Champions League hopes alive at Leipzig

The Werkself need a win in their penultimate match of the season at RB Leipzig on Monday evening (18:00 CEST) to keep their hopes of third place alive until the final day. After Eintracht Frankfurt lost on Saturday, Roberto Pätzold's side can close the gap on their rivals to two points and leave it all to play for next Sunday.

Show more
Werkself Warriors Celebrate First Season Together
Fans - 10.05.2026

Werkself Warriors Celebrate First Season Together

Werkself fans from across the New York City area gathered Saturday morning at Smithfield Hall in Manhattan to cheer on Bayer 04 in the club’s crucial Bundesliga showdown against VfB Stuttgart given the match’s big implications.

Show more
Die Werkself nach Abpfiff bei den mitgereisten Fans
Bundesliga - 10.05.2026

Werkself Review #VfBB04: Determined to end on a high at home

In the next head-to-head clash for the Champions League places at VfB Stuttgart, Bayer 04 failed to follow up their impressive 4-1 win at home to RB Leipzig from the week before. After Aleix Garcia gave the Werkself the lead with their fastest goal of the season, the Swabians turned the game around and won 3-1, knocking Leverkusen down into sixth place. It leaves them needing a win at home to Hamburger SV and other results to go their way on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign in order to reclaim fourth spot. The Werkself Review has all the analysis and reaction from all those involved in an eventful encounter with VfB.

Show more