The two recent poor performances are still in mind and the disappointment suitably great. “But now we have the next game straight away. On the one hand, it’s good to be playing again so quickly but, on the other, we don’t have much time to prepare,” said Bosz at the pre-match press conference. His team has to rediscover the form shown in the games against Bayern Munich, Schalke 04 and Juventus. Bosz: “Those games proved we can do better. We have to perform like that again tomorrow.”
The next opponents for Bayer 04 have just gone through the first change of coaches this term: Nine points from eleven games saw the departure of Sandro Schwarz and his successor Achim Beierlorzer (formerly at FC Köln) has secured three wins in his first five matches in charge – including the 5-1 victory over Hoffenheim and the 5-0 win at Werder Bremen. “Those are good results. We can expect a tough but very interesting game,”, said Bosz.
After the recent defeats, there was criticism of Bayer 04 playmaker Kai Havertz. His substitution in the home game Hertha was met with jeers from some members of the crowd of the BayArena. “I can’t understand it. Since I’ve been here, people have talked about the Bayer 04 family. For me, that is the fans, players and staff. Everybody together. There were a few people who booed but it wasn’t the whole stadium. But I would never have a go at my family. It doesn’t help the team,” declared Bosz.
The Dutchman added: “The lad is from our own youth teams and he’s already given this club so much – although he is still very young. He can have a bad game. I told him that when he gets back on track – and I’m convinced of that –, he will be stronger than before.”
1,600 travelling fans will support the Werkself in the last game of the year. Bosz, who will choose his squad after the final pre-match training session, concluded: “Tomorrow we have the chance to partly make amends. The points are important if we want to moving up before Christmas. We’ll try to win at Mainz.”
Match information:
TV broadcaster: Sky
Referee: Patrick Ittrich
Tickets: Away tickets are sale at the ground from 12.30 CET
The second European away game takes the Werkself to the Portuguese capital Lisbon. Kasper Hjulmand's team will face record champions Benfica on Wednesday, 5 November (kick-off: 20:00 GMT, 21:00 CET) on matchday 4 in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League. As usual, we will take you along on the #aCROSSeurope journey and report from Lisbon. The times given are Central European Time.
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