Back
16.09.2022Bundesliga

Seoane ahead of #B04SVW: ‘We want to play to our own strengths’

The Werkself play their seventh Bundesliga match on Saturday 17 September. Following the 2-0 home win against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night, the team under head coach Gerardo Seoane now entertain Werder Bremen at the BayArena (kick-off: 15.30 CEST). The Swiss coach is again looking for his team to produce a focused performance from the start against the Green and Whites.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

"For me, there is no ranking in the importance of matches. The next game is always the most important for me," declared Seoane at today's pre-match press conference. "We had a really good game against Atlético with tactics playing a big part for both teams. So, I have to pay a big compliment to my team. They were disciplined for the whole 90 minutes," said the 43-year-old summing up the first home win in the Champions League.

The Swiss coach added that the positive result has had an influence on the mood of the team: "You can feel a certain satisfaction and pride." However, Seoane also admitted: "a lot of players were very tired after the game – physically and mentally."

FOcUS ON BEING COMPACT AND strong in challenges

The aim now is to take that performance level into the next game against Werder Bremen: "What we need tomorrow is to be compact. In addition, we have to show our strength in challenges on the pitch to get increased pace as we did against Atlético," said Seoane in describing the targets for the clash with the North German club and he added: "We need a good sense of the game again as we can expect a different match tomorrow."

Seoane: "Bremen haVE A LOT OF ENERGY"

Seoane primarily sees the strength of the opponents in their pressing game: "They have a lot of energy, always play high up the pitch, do not allow you much time and always look to close down their opponents." According to the 43-year-old, transition play will also play a crucial role: "They have recently been able to create a lot of transition moves but have also given away as many." Therefore, there will be a need to adjust as best as possible but Seoane set out the aim of "playing to our own strengths."

Formation unconfirmed

The Swiss coach did not want to reveal a set formation: "That is always dependent on the opponents and how the game develops. It's important that the players are able to vary their positions during the game."

Seoane should be able to call on the same squad as in the game against the Madrid side but he admitted: "After a game like that, it's completely normal that one or the other player has a knock so we will work closely with the medical department."

praise for Schick

The 43-year-old also found words of praise for striker Patrik Schick: "I like the Patrik I'm seeing this season very much. He runs a lot, battles with the central defenders, scores goals. He has impressed me overall in training with a positive approach, he's led the way in difficult weeks and has served the team."

Adli and Bellarabi in rehab training

More good news: Amine Adli and Karim Bellarabi have returned to the pitch this week. Both are currently in rehab training. "It will take one or two weeks before they can get back into full training," said Seoane before adding: "Amine is a long way down the road but at the moment we are avoiding any contact until he's strong enough. "The aim with Karim Bellarabi is to continue to increase the workload.

29,000 at the BayArena

29,000 tickets have been sold for the game against Werder Bremen. The visitors have almost completely used up their allocation with 2,851 Werder fans travelling to Leverkusen tomorrow.

 

Related News

Rudi Vollborn
Bayer 04 - 01.03.2026

Rudi recounts…: Vollborn’s March highlights

Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…

Show more
Fanclub-Ehrung mit Fernando Carro in der Halbzeit
Fans - 28.02.2026

Bayer 04 honour six fan clubs for decades of loyalty at Mainz game

From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.

Show more
Sondertrikot
Bayer 04 - 28.02.2026

Love that lasts a lifetime. Bayer 04 present special edition jersey marking 50th anniversary of fan clubs Under the Cross

It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #B04M05
Bundesliga - 28.02.2026

Matchday news #B04M05: Special jersey on fan club matchday

There’s lots going on at the BayArena today. The home game against FSV Mainz 05 is all about the numerous Bayer 04 fan clubs, whose birth - the founding of the "1. Fanclub 1976 Leverkusen" - dates back 50 years. A number of fan club representatives will be involved in awards, a banner display and a half-time matchday chat, and the Werkself are set to play in a special white fan club jersey. During half-time, Leverkusen mayor Stefan Hebbel and javelin world champion Steffi Nerius will also talk about the Olympic bid involving Leverkusen. Black and Red fans are advised to get to the stadium in good time today. Matchday news.

Show more
Bayer04_Arsenal_London_2526.jpg
Champions League - 27.02.2026

Tickets for the Champions League Round of 16 home game against Arsenal

The Werkself host Premier League club Arsenal in the Round of 16 first leg in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on 10/11 March. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.

Show more