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
Bayer 04 host Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the 2025/26 DFB Pokal. The tie will be played on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, at the BayArena with the kick-off at 20:45 CEST. Information on ticket sales.
Show more
Bayer 04 have the chance to reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the third time ever and the first in 14 years at Arsenal on Tuesday night (kick-off 21:00 CEST/20:00 local time). To do that, the Werkself not only require a strong performance like in the first leg, but also full concentration until the very last minute, as the Premier League leaders like to score late - as they did at the BayArena last week. Here's the Matchday News.
Show more
A special award for special social commitment. At this year's ceremony for the Sepp Herberger Awards in Wolfsburg on Monday night, the DFB Sepp Herberger Foundation recognised Bayer 04 in the social rehabilitation category. The Bundesliga club received the prize, together with €12,000, for its great service to inmates, particularly in the Wuppertal-Ronsdorf prison.
Show more
Can Bayer 04 pull off a coup in London? Just over a week after the 1-1 draw in the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie, the Werkself are now looking to put in a convincing performance away at Arsenal – and get a result to secure a place in the quarter-finals. Ahead of the match on Tuesday, (kick-off: 21:00 CET), head coach Kasper Hjulmand shared his thoughts on the team’s hunger for success. Exequiel Palacios, meanwhile, spoke about the importance of the fixture and the team’s development over the past few months.
Show more
In their last two matches, they’ve done exactly what 'Laterkusen' did in the 2023/24 double-winning season: late on, but not too late, the Gunners scored crucial goals – first in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 at Bayer 04, then last weekend in the Premier League against Everton. This Tuesday, 17 March (kick-off: 21:00 CET), Arsenal host the Werkself in London. The latest on our opponents.
Show more
