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"We will face top opponents with a good coach and high individual and collective quality. The match in the Hinrunde was very intense and we are expecting another tough game," said Xabi Alonso at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. "We have to be flexible and act quickly to have the right approach to the different phases of the game," added the 43-year-old.
The Spaniard sees the strengths of the Frankfurt team in their tactical versatility: "They can play with a back three or a back four. In addition, they are very good in transition." The stats prove the latter: Eintracht Frankfurt are top in terms of goal scored in counter-attacks.
In response to a question on his first away game as Bayer 04 coach in October 2022, when the Werkself lost 5-1 in Frankfurt, Alonso said: "I've not forgotten the game but it’s not really relevant in preparing for tomorrow. A lot has happened since then and our development regarding the squad as well as the mentality of the team is very positive. The same goes for Frankfurt." The team from Hessen are having their best season in decades – 42 points after 23 games is only one less than the club record (1978/79 and 1989/90 with 43 points, calculated according to the three points for a win rule).
Alonso also highlighted: "The defeat for Frankfurt against Bayern (4-0 to FCB last Saturday, the first league defeat for Frankfurt in 2025, ed.) is not a reference point for tomorrow." And he added: "We will always give our all. There are no games where that isn't the case and we always field the best possible team."
Alonso will have to manage without defender Piero Hincapie against Eintracht Frankfurt. The Ecuadorian picked up his fifth yellow card last weekend in the game at newcomers Holstein Kiel (2-0, ed.). Edmond Tapsoba and Nordi Mukiele are one booking away from suspension with four yellow cards each. Otherwise Alonso announced there was "no new news" in terms of personnel.
The Werkself will have the support of 5,300 Bayer 04 fans at the Deutsche Bank Park with the whole allocation for the away section taken up. The top match will be broadcast live on Sky with Werkself Radio reporting as usual from 30 minutes before kick-off.
Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, was a guest speaker at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit in London on Thursday, 27 February. Carro was joined at the high-level event by several club presidents and other decision-makers in football including CEOs and presidents from the top European leagues.
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On Women's Carnival Day, the Bayer 04 Women produced an impressive friendly win against Bundesliga rivals SGS Essen. Playing at home at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, the team led by coach Roberto Pätzold came out on top against the team ninth in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga in a 2-0 victory with goals from Caroline Kehrer and Janou Levels.
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The Werkself are away to Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Round of 16 tie in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League. The away game is at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, 5 March (kick-off: 21:00 CET). Information on ticket sales for the game.
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The Werkself are away to Eintracht Frankfurt on Bundesliga Matchday 24. The game is on Saturday, 1 March (kick-off: 18:30 CET). The Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team bring you the latest information on the fixture at the Deutsche Bank Park…
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After several days working with a smaller group, Werkself coach Roberto Pätzold welcomes back a large part of the Bayer 04 Women's squad to the training ground. Eleven players have returned from international duty with a variety of good results. The women's international round-up.
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