Ahead of the clash with the league leaders, Bosz is focusing– as with any other game – primarily on his own team. “In the run-up to a match, we are 95 per cent concerned with ourselves,” the head coach said at the pre-match press conference. “We have to be brave and play our game.” The Dutchman is happy to dedicate the remaining five per cent to the team from Munich ahead of the match.
The reason: “I enjoy the way Bayern play. It’s a game for anyone who loves football. That’s how football should be played,” said Bosz, who praised the FC Bayern attack and their defence as well as the way they press.”
A win in tomorrow’s home game, as previously mentioned, would be the third victory in succession against the record champions. “If it does happen, then we’ll have achieved something special,” said Bosz before adding: “For me, it’s all about qualifying for the Champions League at the end of the season. And points against FC Bayern are always valuable for that target.”
The possibility of a win making the Bundesliga title race exiting again is of no real interest to Bosz. “It’s not about Bayern Munich for me but rather Bayer 04. We’re playing for ourselves and we want to take the points,” said the Dutchman.
As in last week’s game at Freiburg, striker Kevin Volland will again be in the squad for the home game against FC Bayern. “That means he can play,” Bosz explained. “But we have to be realistic: He’s been out for a long time. Therefore, he’s not yet in shape to play for the full 90 minutes.” Lars Bender will not be in the squad. The captain is still struggling with a foot injury and has yet to return to full training. “We don’t know how long Lars will be out for. But he’s heading in the right direction,” said Bosz.
Match info:
Broadcaster: Sky and Werkself Radio (bayer04.de)
Referee: The referee will announced on the day of the game
Bayer 04 can go through to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the ninth time tonight, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET) and be in the top 16 clubs in Europe. A good omen: Leverkusen have progressed to the next round after winning the first leg in 20 of their 22 knockout rounds in European competitions to date. For their part, Greek record champions Olympiacos rested several players for last weekend’s league fixture ahead of the play-off second leg at the BayArena and will now do everything in their power to turn the tide with their usual aggressive and high pressing. The discussions on Werkself radio are likely to be just as intense as the battle on the pitch, with commentator Florian Bechholz welcoming honorary captain Stefan Kießling and goalkeeper Mark Flekken. Today’s matchday news.
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With the advantage of the 2-0 first-leg win in the play-offs, the Werkself are looking to book their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League at the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the home game against Olympiacos on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand and goalkeeper Janis Blaswich spoke about the position ahead of the match, the visitors' strength at set-pieces and a personnel issue for the home side.
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With a win in the Greek Super League last weekend, Olympiacos achieved success on the pitch ahead of the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg at Bayer 04 on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET). Coach José Luis Mendilibar rested many of his regular starters.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 0-1 loss against TSG Hoffenheim on the 19th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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