On the return of Xabi Alonso, the mayor of San Sebastian, Eneko Goia, introduced the 2010 Spanish World Cup winner. Alonso and Javier García, president of the Fundación Columbus, fielded questions from media. We bring you the key statements from the Bayer 04 head coach.
Xabi Alonso on...
…the background to the game: We are united for a good cause. I encourage everybody to come along as the reason for this match is very special. We will help a lot of families with the proceeds from the game. Help to change the lives of a lot of children. It's a day to party.
...the meeting with Real Sociedad: A lot of people will be coming to the game who I know from my time here. I've shared a lot with them, they are very close to my heart. They are building a great project here, which is admired throughout the world, and they are doing that with lots of energy. I'm very much looking forward to seeing them all again.
...the sporting aspect of the clash: We are in the preseason exactly as are La Real We want to approach this friendly so that everybody can play. And we want to win it.
…the club Real Sociedad: I really learned a lot in my three years here as coach. Now I'm able to implement my knowledge at a big club like Bayer 04 with an outstanding team. Lots of players in the reserve side, who I trained here a year ago, have made the step up to the first team. It's a good team full of energy. The club has made impressive progress in recent years.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-3 loss against Werder Bremen on the 26th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Bayer 04 and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer have shown great commitment to the community as the sale of custom-designed T-shirts for charity in the Fanwelt as part of the “BarmeniaGothaer Brings Joy campaign raised a good €5,000. Bayer 04 matched this sum with an equal contribution. As a result, a total of €10,000 was presented to Edmond Tapsoba for his foundation ahead of the home match against Hamburg. The foundation supports people facing challenging daily circumstances in his home country of Burkina Faso.
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Bayer 04 host Hamburg at the BayArena for the first time since September 2017 on the final day of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season on Saturday (15:30 CEST). HSV are safe in their first campaign back in the top flight after back-to-back wins, but Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 19 games against promoted teams as they go for the victory they need to have a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. There’s also heavy discounts on food and drinks at the BayArena. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 fixture in our matchday news.
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As well as previously confirmed departures, Bayer 04 Women will also say goodbye to Vanessa Haim and Shen Menglu before Sunday’s final game of the season at home to Werder Bremen as the pair leave Leverkusen upon the expiration of their contracts.
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The climax to a long season, emotional farewells and hopes of a major triumph: Bayer 04 Women face a thrilling final matchday in the Bundesliga. In the clash against SV Werder Bremen on Sunday, 17 May (kick-off: 14:00 CEST) at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion, the Werkself could make history and qualify for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history – provided rivals Eintracht Frankfurt lose at home to 1. FC Union Berlin at the same time. Even setting aside the sporting context, it's set to be a special afternoon.
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