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."
Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen has a new coffee partner. The club has agreed a long-term partnership with the Bocholt-based roastery Imping, running to 30 June 2031. The exclusive partnership with the family-run business includes the installation of fully automatic coffee machines at the BayArena, as well as the right to supply and serve coffee products in the business areas during Werkself home games.
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Plenty going on both on and off the pitch: The Bayer 04 fan support team has organised a number of highlights for fans visiting the Werkself 2026/27 summer training camp in Blankenhain, in the Weimarer Land region. Registration for the events is now open. All the details at a glance.
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The Bayer 04 Leverkusen Women’s team and s2-Software are continuing their long-term partnership: The Werkself and the provider of pre-owned Microsoft licences have extended their contract by two years to 2028. This means s2-Software will remain the Bayer 04 sleeve sponsor for all matches in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga.
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BIOGENA is the new performance partner for the Bayer 04 Leverkusen Women’s team. Under a partnership initially set to run for three years, the club and the leading Austrian micronutrient company are pooling their expertise in the areas of health, fitness and top-level performance.
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