Back
26.04.2024Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of#B04VfB: Stuttgart 'currently one of the best teams in Europe'

After three consecutive weeks of playing midweek, the Werkself have been preparing for the top-of-the-table clash against VfB Stuttgart over the past few days. Ahead of the home game on Saturday 27 April (kick-off 18:30 CEST, live on Sky), head coach Xabi Alonso praised the third-placed visitors and gave an update on the state of the pitch as well as personnel.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

The first home match since clinching the Bundesliga title and the pitch invasion by fans after the 5-0 win over SV Werder Bremen. "We've spoken with the groundskeepers. The pitch is maybe not as perfect as before but in good condition," revealed Xabi Alonso in response to a question at Friday's press conference.

Duo not yet fit – Xhaka suspended

Two men who definitely won't be on the pitch against Stuttgart are Adam Hlozek and Borja Iglesias. The attacking duo joined in with parts of team training for the first time again on Friday morning, but Saturday's primetime clash will come too soon. "At the moment, it looks like both will be able to return to full training at the start of next week," explained Alonso. "We'll then make a decision for the game in Rome on Thursday in the coming days."

As well as Hlozek and Iglesias, Granit Xhaka is suspended against VfB, who are currently on course for the UEFA Champions League in third place. The midfield anchor received his fifth booking of the campaign in the 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund, meaning he won't start a Bundesliga match for the first time this season. "It's normal for players to be suspended for yellow card accumulation now and then," said Alonso. "We have plenty of options in this position, though. It's important that we play our game and produce a good performance."

'hard-working, brave, aggressive'

The Werkself have already had two tough encounters with Stuttgart this season, in both the 1-1 draw in the reverse league fixture and the DFB Cup quarter-final (3-2). "They've been one of the best teams in Europe this season," stressed Alonso. "They're flexible, brave and aggressive. I like their approach. It's going to be a top game!"

Related News

Ansetzungen 16 bis 19
Women - 23.12.2025

Women: Home derby on a Friday night - matchdays 16 - 19 scheduled

Two Saturdays, one Friday and one Sunday: The dates for the Bayer 04 Women's team games on matchdays 16 to 19 have been finalised. Three of the four matches scheduled by the German Football Association (DFB) on Tuesday will be played at home at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium.

Show more
Loreen Bender am Ball
Women - 22.12.2025

Brave performance goes unrewarded: Women lose to Bayern Munich in final game of the year

Despite a courageous display, the Bayer 04 Women missed out on a surprise at the start of the second half of the Bundesliga season. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team lost 3-0 to league leaders Bayern Munich on Monday night. An early goal from the clinical visitors, a disputed penalty and another spot-kick prevented Leverkusen, who are seventh in the table on 22 points from 14 games, from picking up a point in front of 3,011 spectators at the sold-out Ulrich Haberland Stadium.

Show more
Bayer 04 besucht die Kinderstation des Klinikums Leverkusen
Werkself-TV - 22.12.2025

Werkself bring festive cheer to Leverkusen hospital

The Werkself rang in the Black and Red festive season with an emotional visit to Klinikum Leverkusen. Kristin Kögel, Melissa Friedrich and Louisa Remien from the Bayer 04 Women's team and Jonas Hofmann, Janis Blaswich and Niklas Lomb from the first team visited the young patients on the children's ward and, for the first time, on the ‘Zeitinsel’ children's palliative care unit. They brought a host of lovingly wrapped presents ensuring a big surprise for young and old alike.

Show more
Marokko gegen die Komoren
Bayer 04 - 22.12.2025

AFCON blog: Morocco with Ben Seghir kick off with a win - trio start on Christmas Eve

Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...

Show more