
Gerardo Seoane on…
… the return of Robert Andrich: He was able to do 70 to 80 per cent of the training session today so we limited the intensity to a certain extent. Now we'll have to see how his body reacts. If all goes well this week he will be available again at the weekend.
…. possible reasons for the defeat against FC Augsburg: In the most general sense it's about making the right decisions. That's the overarching concept for many levels in a game such as build-up play, finishing or making challenges. I think we've already tried to change our game but in many situations not made the right choice. If you don't have that momentum on your side and also are not decisive or patient enough then small mistakes are punished by a clever opponent. A normal performance isn't enough and now we have to go out and earn our success.
… the post-match assessment after the weekend: The team has behaved as I imagined: They had a day off to process the defeat and really shake off their disappointment. That's important. We are always very critical with ourselves including after wins. That's the way we have thought since we arrived here. But then the focus is entirely forward looking and we try to have a lot of constructive discussions with the players to work through different perspectives of how they perceive the situation individually, what was in their minds and why they made a decision at certain moments so that we can find the appropriate approach and then set targets in training.
… the significance of mentality: We have experienced but also young players who are in a different situation from last season. You expect more of them but then perhaps the performances and results aren't right – all of that does something to a player. As an example: There's a huge difference between standing on the ground on one leg or 80 metres up on the top of a block of flats. Everybody deals differently with pressure and has different tools and that all demands a mental process. And everybody is allowed to make mistakes or have an off day. That's also to do with confidence in our players. Experience on its own is no guarantee of avoiding mistakes. The biggest challenge in sport is – regardless of how experienced you are – to achieve momentum both physically and mentally.
… the targets in this week's training sessions: We were incredibly disappointed after the match, without a doubt. But it doesn't help us to lose our nerve. There is no reason to panic but we have to get out of this situation as soon as possible. We did that several times last year and we’ll do it again by getting things right, drawing conclusions and turning our negative thoughts into energy and desire. That's the challenge we want to take on and overcome.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with Germany U19 international Montrell Culbreath. The attacking midfielder and right winger has penned a deal with the Bundesliga club that runs to 30 June 2030. Culbreath has played for the Werkself as a youth player since 2023. Last December, he scored his first Bundesliga goal for the Leverkusen first team in the Bayer 04 3-1 away win at RB Leipzig.
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The Werkself's 3-0 victory over Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League certainly left many happy faces: Malik Tillman was delighted with his brace, Robert Andrich with the clean sheet and coach Kasper Hjulmand with the "manner" of this significant home win. With an overwhelming superiority and over 75 per cent possession at times, Bayer 04 deserved their place in the UCL play-off round. They will face a familiar foe in February. The Werkself review.
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Werkself TV shows highlights of the 3-0 win against FC Villarreal on matchday 8 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league phase...
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The Champions League journey continues! On the eighth and final matchday of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26, Bayer 04 secured their place in the play-offs with a commanding 3-0 win over Villarreal. Malik Tillman put in a mature and combative performance for Leverkusen, scoring a brace (12', 35') to make it 2-0 at the break, while Alejandro Grimaldo (57') and plenty of control of the game did the rest in the second half. The draw for the Werkself's next UCL opponents will take place on Friday 30 January at 12:00 CET.
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