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."
Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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One ticket, two matches – and a varied programme of events, including appearances by players from the professional teams: Bayer 04 has come up with something very special for the 2026 season launch on Saturday, 8 August. From morning right through to the evening, Werkself fans can use just one ticket to not only enjoy top-class football from the Bayer 04 teams live, but also to experience unforgettable moments with the whole family through a variety of hands-on activities around the BayArena and the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The day will also end on a real high note: after both matches, Bayer 04 supporters will have the opportunity to interact directly with the players during joint activities and get to know them from a different angle.
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Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
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