The head coach is expecting a physical game against a tough opponent with Mainz 05 without a point or a goal to date. "Mainz will definitely want to win at home for the first time and will try everything. I expect they will be very aggressive and passionate." The disappointing start to the season with two defeats against newly promoted Hanover and Stuttgart make Mainz 05 dangerous. "I know our team like Mainz, who haven't really got going yet, can approach a game like this and what is then possible," warned Herrlich and added in respect of his own team: "It's important my team knows how to handle it and they go into the game focused and wide-awake."
The maxim of Bayer 04 ahead of the second away game of the season is to take the opposition on and pick up the points. Or, as the Werkself coach put it: "It has to be a top performance with the appropriate result." In achieving this target Herrlich can rely on the support of some 1,250 Bayer 04 supporters who will follow the team to Mainz. Joel Pohjanpalo has recovered from his muscle injury quicker than expected and is another option for the Werkself attack. Captain Lars Bender may also be in for a return. "We're happy he's stayed fit and healthy and has been able to complete all the training sessions. If we take him with us to Mainz then we'll all be happy," said Heiko Herrlich of his midfielder who last lined up for the Werkself in March.
The final decision about the availability of Pohjanpalo and Bender will, as usual, be made after the final pre-match training session on Friday afternoon. Definitely ruled out is Julian Baumgartlinger who is sidelined with an infection that prevents him facing his former team-mates at Mainz. And new signing Panos Retsos, in Leverkusen since Tuesday, is unavailable due to a knee injury picked up playing for Greece. He is expected to return to full training at the start of next week. Herrlich is still without long-term injury Tin Jedvaj as well as striker Lukas Alario. The fact his previous club River Plate have refused to release the players licence does not worry the Bayer 04 coach. "I'm sure they'll be a solution soon," said Herrlich who chose to look forward: "At the moment I'm only concerned with the next game. We definitely want to win against Mainz."
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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