
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.

Former Werkself star Michael Ballack, who won the German Footballer of the Year award in 2002 while playing in Leverkusen, celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday. Bayer 04 sends him its best wishes!
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Attention Werkself fans: In addition to tickets for the floodlit home match against Werder Bremen, tickets are now also available for the Bayer 04 women’s team’s two subsequent fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburger SV at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Both matches in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga will take place at family-friendly kick-off times on Saturday afternoons. Here is the latest information on matchday ticket sales.
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Guéla Doué’s first 30 minutes in a Bayer 04 shirt during the draw away at Augsburg have definitely made the summer signing eager for more. The 23-year-old may have had to bide his time following his move from Strasbourg due to a muscular injury, but he’s been able to get a good taste of the BayArena atmosphere while watching from the stands in the home wins over Celje and RB Leipzig, as the Ivory Coast international explained in a chat with media representatives. “The fans’ enthusiasm and passion are incredible,” said Doué, looking forward to what lies ahead. The defender also spoke about his plans for a comeback, his teammates and his younger brother Désiré.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen welcomes a new official member to the Sponsors’ Club at the start of the 2026/27 campaign. KKV Kabelverlegung GmbH & Co. KG is expanding its existing partnership and will, with immediate effect, act as a supporter of the Bundesliga club at the second-highest partner level, just below the premium tier. As an official partner in the Sponsors’ Club, KKV will now enjoy significantly enhanced visibility during Werkself matches at the BayArena. The new contract is initially valid until 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen has extended the existing partnership agreement with EDO Personalservice GmbH and, at the same time, expanded its collaboration with the Cologne-based company. The official partner in the Business Club has been upgraded within Bayer 04’s partner network. The revised and enhanced support for the club has initially been agreed for two years, running until 30 June 2028.
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