Herrlich has no objections to building on recent success as he admitted at the pre-match press conference ahead of the league match in Frankfurt: "We want to carry on where we left off against RB Leipzig last week: We're obviously going there to win the game. That would represent a huge step forwards for us." The Werkself are two points behind the team in seventh and a win would take the Black and Reds above Eintracht and keep them in touch with the top spots. The encounter promises much excitement. "The way I see Frankfurt they can easily compete for a European finish. They have an outstanding coach in Niko Kovac. Since he took over as coach the team has moved out of the relegation zone and continue to develop – last season they were even in the DFB Cup final," said Herrlich.
"The statistics are well known and they have the third best defence in the league. So it will bee very difficult for us to score there," predicted Herrlich. The Werkself head coach particularly praised the tactical finesse of the team from Hessen: "We're playing against a very good side that's very flexible both in attack and defence and are therefore difficult to predict. Sometimes they push up, sometimes they sit back and play out from defence or they choose to play a long, targeted ball to Sebastien Hallér." Herrlich made it clear his team needed to deal with Eintracht's top scorer (five goals) and new signing Kevin Prince Boateng. Last season, he used Frankfurt games to further his work. So it's no surprise that Herrlich is expecting a "very difficult task": "We again need to build on our work against the ball like we did so well against Leipzig."
In terms of the line-up, Bayer 04 primarily have to be prepared to make changes in defence: In addition to Wendell (fifth yellow card) and Benjamin Henrichs (one-match suspension), Sven Bender is not yet available following his double rib fracture. Although he was able to train during the week the defender was still suffering pain. "He's only up to 70 per cent so we won't take any risks. All the players who can give 100 per cent can help us more. We have 20 fit outfield players and a lot of quality in reserve," explained Herrlich. He will also have to manage without Vladlen Yurchenko (bruised foot). In contrast, he again has Panos Retsos available. Following his cold at the start of the week he returned to training on Wednesday and is in the squad for tomorrow's game.
Around 1,300 Werkself supporters are expected to follow the team to Frankfurt.
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month.
Show more
Kasper Hjulmand has led the Werkself back to winning ways and is back in the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League with Bayer 04 after the 3-0 win against Villarreal on Wednesday evening. In an interview with the Werkself magazine at the BayArena in the team meeting room, directly opposite the dressing room, he provided some special insights for the current issue, which was published in January. A conversation with the 53-year-old coach about values, attitudes and personal experiences as well as interests outside of football.
Show more
The thrilling 3-1 win for Bayer 04 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Hinrunde is a fond memory for Alejandro Grimaldo, with his brace from free kicks, and coach Kasper Hjulmand, who was in the dugout under the Cross for the first time. Now comes the return fixture in the metropolis on the River Main and after going out of the DFB Pokal and the Champions League, the full focus at Eintracht, currently managed by two interim coaches, is now on the Bundesliga. For their part, the Werkself will do everything in their power to continue the longest winning run against a Bundesliga club. The matchday news.
Show more
Bayer 04 have ended Artem Stepanov’s loan deal at Nürnberg and agreed a new loan to Utrecht in the Netherlands. The Ukrainian striker did not play as much as hoped for at the Bundesliga 2 club and will now continue his development in the Eredivisie for the rest of 2025/26.
Show more
The draw for the knockout play-offs of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League was made on Friday, 30 January and saw Bayer 04 paired with Olympiacos. It’s a reunion with the Greek side following the Werkself’s 2-0 loss in Athens on Matchday 7 of the league phase.
Show more
