The team in third place have a two-point lead over the Black and Reds, currently lying fifth in the table with 50 points. “We can take an important step forward tomorrow and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” declared head coach Peter Bosz at today’s virtual press conference. As with the 4-1 away win at Werder Bremen, the Dutchman has to make do without his captain Lars Bender (foot injury) in Mönchengladbach.
Striker Kevin Volland returned to training for the first time this week after his ankle ligament injury. But tomorrow’s game has come too early for him,” said Bosz. “We’ll have to wait and see when he can get back.” All the other players are available.
Werkself head coach Bosz said Mönchengladbach have, up to now, had an “impressive season. They’re a good team.” However, the 56-year-old is banking on his team’s strengths against the in-form side under coach Marco Rose. Bosz added: “We’re up for it. We were before the coronavirus pandemic and we are now. We were good against Bremen and our positional play was better in the second half.”
In preparation for tomorrow’s clash, the Bayer 04 group underwent the obligatory coronavirus tests this morning and a training session is on the agenda this afternoon. The players, coaches and staff will then return to the Leverkusen team hotel.
Kai Havertz, the scorer of two goals at Werder Bremen, is obviously set to play. After the last game, Bosz talked about the 20-year-old, saying he “didn’t have his best game.” Asked about that statement, the head coach today said: “I always try to get the best out of my players. I know Kai can do better. I always expect the best from my players and if there is room for improvement, then perhaps I’m more critical than journalists. If you have the quality that Kai has then you shouldn’t be easily satisfied – neither him nor me as the coach.”
Match information:
Broadcasters: Sky and Werkself Radio (bayer04.de)
Referee: The referee will be announced on the day of the match
In the previous game against RB Leipzig in December last year, the Werkself turned came from behind to win 3-1 and further improved Leverkusen's already strong record against the Red Bulls. Montrell Culbreath stood out with his first goal on his debut for the Black and Reds. While the 18-year-old would certainly like to score a second goal against Leipzig on Saturday night, the attack-minded visitors come to the BayArena in confident mood after five Bundesliga victories in a row. The Nordkurve12 supporters group knows the Werkself will therefore once again be reliant on the vociferous support of the fans, and has once again called for the ‘Finally Red’ campaign in the run-in. Today’s matchday news.
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