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

Robert Andrich und Co. nach Abpfiff
Bundesliga - 01.03.2026

Werkself review #B04M05: ‘We lacked rhythm and intensity on the ball’

The Werkself conceded a goal at home for the first time since the beginning of January 67 minutes into the game against FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday. Jarell Quansah levelled late on for the final score of 1-1 to secure a point and avoid a first home defeat in six games. Bayer 04 were very critical of their performance after the game. The Werkself review.

Show more
Rudi Vollborn
Bayer 04 - 01.03.2026

Rudi recounts…: Vollborn’s March 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
Fanclub-Ehrung mit Fernando Carro in der Halbzeit
Fans - 28.02.2026

Bayer 04 honour six fan clubs for decades of loyalty at Mainz game

From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.

Show more
Late goal secures point against Mainz | 24th matchday
Werkself-TV - 28.02.2026

TV highlights of 1-1 draw against Mainz 05

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 1-1 draw against Mainz 05 on Matchday 24 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...

Alejandro Grimaldo
Bundesliga - 28.02.2026

1-1 draw with Mainz 05 - late strike secures a point

A late goal secured a point for Bayer 04 at home to FSV Mainz 05 in a match that saw the Black and Reds dominant in the second half. Despite lots of possession, the Werkself initially found few gaps and fell behind after 67 minutes when Sheraldo Becker scored in a Mainz counter-attack. In the closing stages, Leverkusen threw everything forward once again and equalised through Jarell Quansah (88').

Show more