Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.
“Every game is hard. We’ve learned that. I’m expecting my team to play with intelligence and maturity. We’re preparing with full respect, just as well as we did against Bayern or Milan,” Alonso stressed on Friday afternoon.
Kiel are playing in the Bundesliga for the first time in their history this season but sit bottom of the table after five games. Their only point so far has come from a 2-2 draw away at Bochum. Asked about the promoted side, Alonso said: “They may have only one point, but normally they’d earn more. They’re a good team who play well. They have a young and aspiring coach in Marcel Rapp. I’ve analysed Holstein Kiel well. They’ve done some fantastic things in the past. We need to be ready for them.”
Alonso was also asked about potential rotation given the intensity of the past week with two big games. “It could be that other players play, but we’ll see what happens. We have a good squad and all the players are ready to play. They show a top attitude in every training session. The important thing is that we build on our good defensive work. It’s worked better the last few times. We kept a clean sheet against Milan. That was important, and now we want that as well in the Bundesliga.”
Saturday’s game is Alonso’s 100th in charge of the Werkself in all competitions. It will also be exactly two years since he took over on 5 October 2022. Asked about his spell at the helm so far, he said: “A lot has happened, and we’ve all been through a lot together. The development of the entire club and the team is great, and I’m proud to be a part of this process. I’ve learned a lot, and at times it was very hard. I won’t forget the first few months in particular. I hope we can celebrate together with a win tomorrow.”
The Spaniard was also asked to give a summary of the season so far after eight games, saying: “It’s still very early. We’re making good progress and still in all competitions. But we’re still only thinking one game at a time, one block at a time. We want to end this block before the international break with a win against Kiel.”
The BayArena is already sold out for this final game before the international break, including around 2,800 travelling Kiel supporters.
There won’t just be plenty of excitement on the pitch as Bayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena at 18:30 CET on Saturday. Outside the stadium there will be collection points for food donations to the Leverkusen Foodbank, which will also benefit from the profits of a jersey raffle in the Fanwelt afterwards. There will also be a minute’s silence before kick-off following the passing of long-time Werkself player Dieter Herzog, before two fan clubs are honoured for their decades-long support at half-time and fans receive a talk about Orange Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
Show more
Bayer 04 go into the first of two successive clashes with Borussia Dortmund boosted by their Champions League win at Manchester City. Ahead of the Bundesliga top match on Saturday, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the tight schedule, BVB's strengths and returning squad members.
Show more
Borussia Dortmund are doing very well in terms of points and results in the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. BVB have only suffered two defeats to date this term. Now coach Niko Kovac's team are away to the Werkself on Saturday night, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET) in the top match on Bundesliga matchday 12. The two teams meet again three days later in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie in Dortmund. Two very competitive encounters are on the cards. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
The Bayer 04 Women clcoked up a 3-2 win in a friendly against Twente Enschede on Thursday afternoon in the last international break of 2025. In drizzle, Lilla Turanyi (16’), Kristin Kögel (65’) and Paulina Bartz (69’) scored the goals for the Werkself against the Dutch Eredivisie Vrouwen leaders, who are still unbeaten in the league.
Show more
