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."

Bayer 04 have loaned Brazilian full-back Arthur to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen for one year. Arthur Augusto de Matos Soares – the full name of the right-back – has a contract with Leverkusen until 30 June 2031. At Werder, the 23-year-old is expected to make an impact and help the long-established club further consolidate their position in the Bundesliga.
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Bayer 04 have loaned defender Jeanuel Belocian to Spanish top-flight side Racing Santander. The 21-year-old defender joins the team currently ninth in La Liga until the end of the current 2026/27 season. Belocian’s contract remains valid until 30 June 2029. Last season, the 1.86-metre-tall U21 international was loaned to VfL Wolfsburg for six months.
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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 personal 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…
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Carlotta Wamser has completed a move away from Bayer 04 Women to join Manchester City in England’s Women’s Super League. The 22-year-old Germany international spent one year with the Werkself.
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