Back
7.02.2025Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #WOBB04: “One of the hardest away games”

After three straight home games across three different competitions, Bayer 04 now head to Wolfsburg for Matchday 21 in the Bundesliga. Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s game, head coach Xabi Alonso talked about switching focus back to the league from the DFB Pokal, the hosts’ form and a player who’s set to return.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

“Obviously the mood in the team is good,” Alonso stated on Friday, two days after his side beat Köln in a cup derby to reach the semi-finals. “But that game is now behind us. Our focus is fully on the Bundesliga. That’s our most important competition.”

Speaking about Wolfsburg, who come into this weekend sat 10th in the table, he said: “It’ll be a very hard game, one of the hardest away games of the season. I felt at the start of the season they could have a good year. They’ve stabilised after some initial difficulties and have a clear style under Ralph Hasenhüttl.”

Adli set to return

The game in Wolfsburg, for which 2,350 Leverkusen fans are set to make the journey, brings the end to a busy period of seven matches in the space of 21 days. “It’s the last big effort of a long and intense spell with a lot of games. We’ll give our all again,” the Spaniard affirmed, looking ahead to a calmer period of three weeks with games only on weekends.

Alejandro Grimaldo won’t be involved this weekend as the left-back serves a suspension for his red card against Hoffenheim, while he’s also suffering the effects of a knock to the head against Köln. “He’ll almost certainly be fit again for Bayern next week,” Alonso stated.

However, the boss confirmed that Amine Adli will be in the matchday squad for the first time since his leg fracture in October. It means Jeanuel Belocian and Martin Terrier are the only confirmed absentees alongside Grimaldo. “We had a tough period with injuries a few months ago but have come through it well. It’s really important that we can now call upon almost all the players again. Competition in the squad is very important,” Alonso concluded.

Related News

SV Werder Bremen vs. Bayer 04
Bundesliga - 31.08.2025

Werkself review #SVWB04: We didn’t function as a team any more

For a long time, it looked like Bayer 04 would claim their first Bundesliga victory of the season, but the Werkself were frustrated after the final whistle. The 3-3 draw away at Werder Bremen left the players with long faces and disappointed reactions. The Werkself review

Show more
20250830_JS_SVWB04_2414.jpg
Bundesliga - 30.08.2025

Werkself miss out on first win after 3-3 draw at Werder Bremen

Bayer 04 are still without a win in the Bundesliga after two games following a 3-3 draw away at Werder Bremen. Leverkusen had gone 2-0 up through Patrik Schick and Malik Tillman, before Romano Schmid’s penalty prior to half-time. Schick’s own spot-kick restored the two-goal advantage in the second half as Werder were reduced to 10 men, but Isaac Schmidt got the hosts back into it again before Karim Coulibaly’s added-time equaliser.

Show more
Draw UCL 25 26
Champions League - 30.08.2025

Dates confirmed for Werkself’s games in 2025/26 UEFA Champions League’s league phase

UEFA have confirmed the fixture list for the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.

Show more
Weserstadion
Bundesliga - 30.08.2025

Matchday news #SVWB04: Away record on the line in Bremen

Bayer 04 make their second attempt at picking up their first three points of this Bundesliga season as they visit Werder Bremen on Saturday. The hosts may be struggling with injuries and reeling from back-to-back defeats to kick off the campaign, but they’ll want to put that right in their first home outing. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the match, which kicks off at 3.30pm CEST.

Show more