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."

Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
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In the final international break in the current 2025/26 campaign, Bayer 04 striker Patrik Schick with Czechia will be battling for a place at the World Cup. Meanwhile, national teams that have already qualified, include other Werkself players called up, are involved in friendlies in the build-up to the World Cup. Read on for an overview of the Leverkusen internationals and their match dates.
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The Werkself kicked off the final international break of the current season on Monday morning with the first of three open training sessions this week. While eleven Bayer 04 players will be away on international duty in the coming days, the other players will be working together in Leverkusen. The next challenge in the Bundesliga awaits on Saturday, 4 April (kick-off: 15:30 CEST) with the home game against VfL Wolfsburg.
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