3-1, 7-1 and 2-5 – those are the results from the last three Bundesliga matches for the Werkself. That stands up against 17 goals in the TSG games. Werkself head coach Gerardo Seoane can "live with less goals being scored tomorrow night." More important for him: "I'm happy when the performance is right. Of course, that has to be turned into a good result in the end. But that's not just dependent on goals. Much more it's about how the team acts defensively and offensively. We coaches always look at the bigger picture."
After last Sunday's 5-2 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt, Seoane emphasised that both the players and the coaching staff are "always self-critical and ready to accept responsibility." The Swiss coach added: "The players have often shown a good reaction after poor results." The 43-year-old named the example of the good performance in the Europa League group match at Real Betis (1-1) just a few days after the 5-1 defeat against Bayern Munich.
In the clash between the teams lying third and fourth, the Werkself will look to impose their own game on the closest pursuers from the Kraichgau. "We want to act instead of react. For that, we want to give the team, through good preparation, a sense of security and also offer them solutions," explained Seoane. The lead over TSG is currently one point.
Jeremie Frimpong will not play for the first time this season. The right-back misses the match against Hoffenheim after picking up a fifth yellow card. Seoane was keeping his cards close to his chest in terms of whether this absence will mean the introduction of a like for like player or a change to the system. Timothy Fosu-Mensah, having recovered from his torn cruciate, would be available for inclusion in the squad.
In addition to Frimpong, the only other players missing are Julian Baumgartlinger and Mitchel Bakker. Florian Wirtz, who is set to make his 50th Bundesliga appearance at the age of just 18, is also fit to play as are all of the other Werkself players. Asked about the record of the number 27, the Swiss boss waxed lyrical: "The adjectives are missing with him. His development is phenomenal for his age. He is not only a regular first choice but also a leader." In the 5-2 defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt, Wirtz did also have "difficulty in making his mark against defiant opposition. But it's normal that not every game can be outstanding. But he makes a very down-to-earth impression and is very determined to continue his development."
Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...
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Due to the last-minute postponement of the Bundesliga match between Hamburg and the Werkself on Tuesday, 13 January, Bayer 04 will reimburse the ticket price to all 3,500 fans who had already travelled to Hamburg as a sign of appreciation. The tickets remain valid for the rescheduled match (date not yet set).
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without centre-back Edmond Tapsoba in the coming weeks. The Burkina Faso international returned to the Werkself from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco with a muscle injury.
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The Bundesliga fixture between Hamburger SV and Bayer 04 Leverkusen has been postponed at short notice.
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Bayer 04 face Hamburger SV for the first time in almost eight years. Although the Hanseatic city team are often below par on the road, they are regularly in top form in front of their own fans. In particular, 18-year-old shooting star Luka Vuskovic is proving to be a real bonus for Merlin Polzin's team, both in attack and defence. However, that should not scare the Werkself: Not only was the last defeat against the newly promoted team 17 games ago, but Kasper Hjulmand's players are in with a chance of securing their fifth win in six games against HSV. Today’s matchday news.
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