"Not many opponents have taken an attacking approach against us this season. But when you play top teams like Gladbach or Dortmund and both teams want to win then it will be an open and attractive game. And I'm expecting one like that against Leipzig on Saturday," said the Dutchman. His expectation is also supported by the stats: The team from Saxony have the best home record in the Bundesliga this season going into matchday 19 with 22 points from nine games – the Werkself have 17 points from nine away games (like Stuttgart) and are only surpassed by league leaders FC Bayern (19 from nine). So strength at home meets strength on the road.
Both teams are currently on course to qualify for the Champions League but the pressure from below is growing ever stronger as Bosz recognises. "A number of teams are fighting for a place in the top four this season. But the most important thing is that we pick up points ourselves. We have to try and get on a good run and win our games. Clocking up points – that's the most important thing."
Against Leipzig, who Bosz believes have better positional play this season compared with recent years, the 57-year-old has to cope with the absence of several players. In addition to the long-term injured Julian Baumgartlinger, who this week underwent a successful cruciate operation, Santiago Arias and Paulinho, Mitchell Weiser and Sven Bender are also sidelined. Nadiem Amiri is not an option due to his Covid-19 infection nor is new signing Jeremie Frimpong, who is currently in self-isolation following his arrival in Germany. And Lars Bender is not yet available – "he hasn't trained with the team as yet and will not be in the squad for the game against Leipzig,"
In contrast, Exequiel Palacios has made further progress in full training over the last two weeks . The coach was unwilling to say whether he would be ready for the weekend. "We have to observe him day by day and also wait for the final training session."
In spite of the number of players sidelined – Bosz does not want to complain about the situation. "If I look round then I can see that other clubs have more players missing," he said. This was on the cards due to the crowded fixture lists in a short space of time and the coronavirus pandemic. "It's extreme but we have to deal with it. And up to now we've done well compensating for the absent players. Therefore, I'm assuming we'll also be able to do that against Leipzig."
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 4-0 win at SGS Essen on the 24th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Bayer 04 put in a brilliant performance to beat RB Leipzig 4-1 on Bundesliga matchday 32 and are now fourth in a Champions League spot. The Black and Reds took control of the game right from the start and, with 75 per cent possession at one stage, took a 2-0 lead into the break through Patrik Schick (25’) and Nathan Tella (45+1’). The visitors initially tried to do more after the break, but the Werkself remained determined and Schick scored his second goal to increase the lead to 3-0 (76'). The Red Bulls pulled a goal back through Christoph Baumgartner (80'), but the disciplined Leverkusen side were not rattled - and certainly not Schick: The Czechia international crowned a brilliant display with his third goal shortly before the final whistle to make the final score 4-1.
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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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Video games manufacturer Electronic Arts (EA), together with the German Football League (DFL), announced the top male and female selections for the 2025/26 Bundesliga season this week. Bayer 04 striker Vanessa Fudalla is in the starting eleven of the women's "Team of the Season". Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia have been selected as bench players in the men's team.
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