On Friday morning, the Dutchman was first coming to terms with the match at BSC Young Boys the day before: "I watched the full 90 minutes of the game once again. I always do that. Then I discuss my conclusions either with the whole team or with individual players – today I spoke to everybody. We weren't happy with the first half, the reaction from the team after the break was something that every coach would want. There you could see: Things can change quickly in football."
According to the 57-year-old, the most important thing now is to focus on the away game at FC Augsburg. FCA have lost six of their last seven league matches. As a comparison: There were only five defeats in the first 14 matches. "Augsburg also need the points. So, two teams are playing each other and both definitely want to win," declared Peter Bosz ahead of the clash with his predecessor on the Leverkusen bench, FCA coach Heiko Herrlich.
As in Bern, the Dutchman will have to manage without his number one keeper Lukas Hradecky against the Bavarian Swabians. As the Finn was unable to train on Friday due to continuing problems with his heel, he is not an option for the game at FCA. Lars Bender is again ruled out due to injury, as is Karim Bellarabi. But the winger has now returned to training away from the squad following his muscle injury.
Mitchell Weiser (muscle injury) returned to full training for the first time on Friday. Central defender Sven Bender was back on the training ground several days ago. The 31-year-old could be back on the pitch in Augsburg the first time in 2021.
Should the experienced defender be available then he will, together with his teammates, have to be aware of Augsburg playing on the break. Bosz explained that element: "They often try to counter-attack. But against top teams they have more often applied pressure further up the pitch." Which tactics Herrlich will want to use against his former club was countered by his opposite number on Friday: "We are prepared for the opposition and we want to win the game. It's down to us to produce a good performance on Sunday."
Match information:
Broadcasters: DAZN and Werks11 Radio
Referee: The match officials will be announced on the day of the game
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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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