The Werkself coach Roger Schmidt is well aware of the task ahead: “We need to be on our best form. We have every chance of winning the game at our own ground with our fans behind us – and that’s what we’re aiming for.”
The Werkself head coach recognises the opposition have been though a busy transfer window: “BVB brought in top players after the departure of Hummels, Gündogan and Mkhitaryan. Götze and Schürrle, Guerreiro, Dembelé and Mor are all very impressive new signings and it means Borussia’s attacking game is now even more adaptable.”
Talking about the high-scoring start to the season for Borussia, Schmidt said: “They look really solid and nothing like a team trying to gel.” Therefore, the boss is calling on his players to be “fully focussed and keep the ball far away from our own net. BVB have some very quick forwards. It’s good that we’ve got fast defenders in our ranks.”
It remains to be seen whether the Bayer 04 captain Lars Bender, who picked up a painful flesh wound in the Champions League match at Monaco, and vice-captain Ömer Toprak (bruised knee) will be fit to play. Schmidt: “I can’t give the green light for either of them and we’ll decide if they’re able to play against Dortmund after the final pre-match training session.”
Fan update:
The BayArena is sold out and Bayer 04 would like to point out that rucksacks and large bags are not permitted in the BayArena.
Bosnia U19 international Kerim Alajbegovic is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen's youth set-up to Red Bull Salzburg. The talented attacking midfielder has signed a long-term contract with the Austrian club. At the same time, the works club secured a buy-back option for the 17-year-old, who was one of the mainstays of the Leverkusen U19s.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Premier League club Chelsea in the final pre-season friendly. The game against the current holders of the UEFA Conference League is on Friday, 8 August at Stamford Bridge with the kick-off at 20:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Dutch top-flight club Fortuna Sittard in the third pre-season friendly. The match is on Friday, 1 August at the Fortuna Sittard stadium with the kick-off at 19:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to VfL Bochum in the second pre-season friendly. The match is on Sunday, 27 July at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion with the kick-off at 18:00 CEST. Read on for the latest information on ticket sales.
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