The clash between Bayer 04 and Bayern Munich is the first time the top two teams have played each other this season – as it stands ahead of matchday eight. Both teams are currently level on points with 16 each with Bayern (+17) just ahead of the Werkself (+13) on goal difference.
"It will be the first time the stadium has been full," said Seoane looking forward to the forthcoming top match at the BayArena with a crowd of 30,000 for the first time since March 2020. "That's enough of a reason to be happy." Of course, the situation in the table gives the game "a certain edge" but the Swiss coach does not want to exaggerate: "We are taking this game as a reference point to find out where we are up to against the best team in Germany."
Seoane almost has his full squad to choose from. Timothy Fosu-Mensah (rehab training after torn cruciate) and Julian Baumgartlinger (cruciate injury) are not available to the Leverkusen head coach. Lucas Alario and Exequiel Palacios will return from international duty today (Friday). "With Piero Hincapie it will be late afternoon on Saturday as he has to take another couple of flights," explained the 42-year-old who will be able to plan for the squad on Sunday to include the last three players returning from international duty.
Talking about returns: Edmond Tapsoba, who tore an ankle ligament in the middle of July, could return to the squad against Bayern. The 6' 4'' four defender from Burkina Faso completed all the training sessions with the team this week Seoane: "We are very happy to have Eddy back in training. But he definitely needs one or two more training sessions. We will try to bring him back into the team through training and short appearances as he's very important to us. We'll decide tomorrow if he will be in the squad for Sunday."
There is no doubt about the appearance of Bayer 04 striker Patrik Schick. The Czech Republic striker has scored six goals in the Bundesliga this term and is amongst the top goalscorers behind Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund) and FC Bayern's Robert Lewandowski (both on seven). "You can't mark a player like Lewandowski completely out of the game," said Seoane, "but we don't just want to focus on one player. We want to be brave and aggressive but at the same time realise you have to defend deep against an opponent like that at times."
The coach knows about the degree of difficulty in this challenge. Therefore he demanded: "All the players have to be disciplined. You can't give much away against Bayern. We have to support each other in difficult moments and know that we need to produce a good performance. That's the target we are setting ourselves." Before the first international break there was a narrow 4-3 defeat. Seoane: "We want to do better against Bayern."
Under Carles Martínez, the Werkself have so far proved unbeatable at the BayArena. The Spaniard has led his team to victory in all three of their most recent home matches – and, it's worth noting, without conceding a single goal. On Sunday, 18 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST / live on DAZN and Werkself Radio), current league leaders SC Freiburg will make the trip to Leverkusen, but will be without their top scorer. What's more, the Werkself have won all three of their previous home matches against the Black Forest club. With a goal, Patrik Schick could not only secure a fourth consecutive victory but also set a memorable record. Meanwhile, on what will be the ‘Health Day' at the BayArena, much of the focus will be on physical wellbeing. Today's matchday news.
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Bayer 04 Women missed out on victory in the Google Pixel Bundesliga as they were held to a draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. Estrella Merino Gonzalez had put the Werkself ahead directly from a corner at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion, before Laura Freigang levelled for the visitors as it finished all square between fourth and third on Matchday 7.
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Freiburg have made an impressive start to the season, unbeaten in nine games across all competitions, with eight of them wins. Now the Bundesliga leaders come to the BayArena on Sunday to take on the Werkself, but Julian Schuster’s team will be missing their top scorer. Here’s the lowdown on our next opponent.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without attacking midfielder Martin Terrier for the time being. The Frenchman sustained a muscle injury to his left hamstring yesterday, Thursday 15 October, during the Europa League game against Polish champions Lech Poznan (4–0). Terrier is not expected to be available until late December.
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