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"We are happy that all our players have returned from international duty fit and well. We don't have much time now but that's the normal dynamic," declared Alonso at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. Following the international break, today's training session will be the first and the last where the Spaniard has his whole squad available. Alonso therefore talked about the need for "express preparation" on the training ground.
Despite the short amount of time, there is great anticipation both amongst the players and the coach. Alonso: "We're happy to get going again. We'll face a good opponent. The last two matches against Hoffenheim were tight (3-2, 2-1, ed.). It will be a tough and difficult match. We have to be organised and in control – with the ball and above all without it. We need the highest possible level of concentration for the whole game and that was missing against Leipzig (2-3, ed.).”
Like the Werkself, Hoffenheim have started the new Bundesliga season with a win (3-2 against Holstein Kiel) and a defeat (3-1 against Eintracht Frankfurt). Andrej Kramaric did score a hat-trick against Holstein Kiel and another goal against Eintracht Frankfurt. In addition to the on form Kramaric, the recently transferred Adam Hlozek adds strength to the TSG attack. Alonso said about Hlozek: "We are happy to see him again so quickly. Of course, we know him well, he's a battler and has a good shot. At Hoffenheim he is now in a good situation and he will get a lot of time on the pitch."
Alonso also had positive news about his own players: "Jerry (Jeremie Frimpong, ed.) is with us tomorrow. Pala (Exequiel Palacios, ed.) is making good progress.” Frimpong left the Netherlands squad early during the international break for personal reasons. Alonso also talked about Nordi Mukiele: "He trained very well during the international break and made best use of the time. He has a good attitude and more and more understands our system and our style of play."
The Werkself can look forward to outstanding backing tomorrow. Bayer 04 are expecting 4,000 travelling fans to make the journey to TSG. Bayer 04 have taken up all the away allocation. The Nordkurve12 fan group has called on all fans making the journey to Sinsheim to wear the Werkself jersey.
The Colombian midfielder Gustavo Puerta is set to join Hull City on permanent terms from 1 July. Bayer 04 Leverkusen and the Championship club originally agreed a season-long loan in the summer with an option to buy included in the contract. A permanent move to Hull City has been triggered by the number of league appearances Puerta has made this term.
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FC St. Pauli are on course to achieve their target for the season. The win away to Holstein Kiel last weekend saw the newcomers from the Hanseatic city take a big step forward in terms of staying up. This Easter Sunday, 20 April (kick-off: 19:30 CEST), the team currently fifteenth in the Bundesliga entertain the Werkself at the Millerntor. And they will have to manage without their captain Jackson Irvine for the first time this season. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The Werkself are away to FC St. Pauli on Bundesliga Matchday 30. The game is on Sunday, 20 April (kick-off: 19:30 CEST). The Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team brings you the latest information on the fixture at the Millerntor Stadium…
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The Easter holidays enticed a large number of Bayer 04 fans to come to the training ground at the BayArena, today Wednesday 16 April, to watch the Werkself at an open training session in the afternoon. Afterwards, the players and head coach Xabi Alonso took time out to sign autographs and pose for photographs. And there was a lot going on besides: While midfield maestro Granit Xhaka fielded questions at an entertaining children's press conference, including the story behind his squad number 34, Nathan Tella faced the media.
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