Back
26.08.2022Werkself-TV

Seoane before #M05B04: “Focus is on defensive work”

The Werkself are away at Mainz on Saturday, 27 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST) for Matchday 4 in the Bundesliga. It sees Gerardo Seoane and his side take on a host who are still unbeaten this season (W2, D1) and fourth in the table. The 43-year-old spoke at his press conference on Friday about what the team worked on in training during the week and the importance of defensive work for the meeting at the MEWA Arena.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

Seoane appeared pleased with training over the past week. He said the team had worked with great concentration and focus over the past few days. “We’ve tried to tackle the negative situation together. You can only reproduce a Bundesliga matchday in small sequences in training, but I felt lots of motivation and energy to work on the game plan together after the disappointment.”

Challenges, communication, mentality

In terms of the on-field aspects, the areas of challenges, communication and mentality were tackled: “It needs a hint more from everyone in the current situation in terms of these points,” the Swiss coach added. “We have to show willingness, above all in challenges, accepting the rigorousness and supporting each other.”

They want to remain loyal to their attacking play, but the current focus has clearly been on defending. “Obviously we want to excite the spectators, score lots of goals and have greater vigour in attack, but we can only do that when we work in a compact, determined and aggressive way against the ball beforehand,” continued Seoane, who also says that these include shoring up against the counter, an organised covering defence and clearer positioning after turnovers.

Seoane: “Mainz play with confidence”

The 43-year-old has a clear goal for tomorrow’s game against Mainz: “We have to turn our words into actions and implement the things we’ve planned and trained.” Seoane believes the opposition is assured and determined: “Mainz play with confidence, especially at home, and play with a healthy dose of rigorousness and force. We want to stand up against that and play out our own situations well.”

unchanged squad

Seoane expects to be able to draw upon the same squad as last weekend’s loss to Hoffenheim. Charles Aranguiz has trained individually due to muscular complaints but was again able to work with the team yesterday. If the Chilean midfielder has no problems in Friday’s final session, he’ll be available on Saturday.

The Werkself have sold 1,614 tickets for the game at the MEWA Arena and are looking forward to great support in Mainz.

Related News

Rudi Vollborn
Bayer 04 - 01.03.2026

Rudi recounts…: Vollborn’s March highlights

Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…

Show more
Fanclub-Ehrung mit Fernando Carro in der Halbzeit
Fans - 28.02.2026

Bayer 04 honour six fan clubs for decades of loyalty at Mainz game

From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.

Show more
Sondertrikot
Bayer 04 - 28.02.2026

Love that lasts a lifetime. Bayer 04 present special edition jersey marking 50th anniversary of fan clubs Under the Cross

It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #B04M05
Bundesliga - 28.02.2026

Matchday news #B04M05: Special jersey on fan club matchday

There’s lots going on at the BayArena today. The home game against FSV Mainz 05 is all about the numerous Bayer 04 fan clubs, whose birth - the founding of the "1. Fanclub 1976 Leverkusen" - dates back 50 years. A number of fan club representatives will be involved in awards, a banner display and a half-time matchday chat, and the Werkself are set to play in a special white fan club jersey. During half-time, Leverkusen mayor Stefan Hebbel and javelin world champion Steffi Nerius will also talk about the Olympic bid involving Leverkusen. Black and Red fans are advised to get to the stadium in good time today. Matchday news.

Show more
Bayer04_Arsenal_London_2526.jpg
Champions League - 27.02.2026

Tickets for the Champions League Round of 16 home game against Arsenal

The Werkself host Premier League club Arsenal in the Round of 16 first leg in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on 10/11 March. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.

Show more