Three matches in seven days. After the 5-1 home defeat against FC Bayern and the successful test of strength at Real Betis (1-1), the Black and Reds return to Bundesliga action at FC Köln. "I'm expecting a game full of challenges and high intensity," declared Gerardo Seoane at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon who is only missing the injured trio of Julian Baumgartlinger, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Charles Aránguiz.
The last two matches against FC Bayern and the Spanish club from Andalusia have left their marks. But the Swiss boss is satisfied after yesterday's Europa League away game at the Estadio Benito Villamarin: "We wanted to be compact and that's what we did. It was an attractive and entertaining game for the spectators with highs and lows on both sides."
The Werkself, who returned from southern Spain in the early hours of Friday, now face the derby – and in circumstances that have not existed for a long time in this fixture between the two clubs: For the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the clash between these two rivals from the Rhine will take place with supporters in the stands. The FC Köln ground of the RheinenergieSTADION will be sold out with 50,000 fans at the match.
Also due to this atmosphere, Seoane says "Control of emotions is an important subject. Bundesliga matches are always intensive – but there's more emotion with derby games." Therefore the object is, "to keep calm and stand firm."
A former Köln player will be in the Werkself team in the shape of youngster Florian Wirtz. The 18-year-old playmaker has already played two derbies with the Bayer Cross on his shirt (4-0, 3-1) albeit without a win in front of fans due to the pandemic. "Flo knows it will be a special match for the fans. He will prepare accordingly," said Seoane. "Emotions are part of this business. The fans can express their feelings. We can deal with that."
On the opponents, who currently lie seventh in the Bundesliga, the Bayer 04 head coach said: "Köln are powerful and brave and they are very good at pressing. Their aggressive approach to the game could help us. We have to get out of those situations and then benefit from our pace." With that in mind, the fourth derby win in succession should be on the cards.
BIOGENA is the new performance partner for the Bayer 04 Leverkusen Women’s team. Under a partnership initially set to run for three years, the club and the leading Austrian micronutrient company are pooling their expertise in the areas of health, fitness and top-level performance.
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100 children from the Bayer 04 Football Academy had the chance to gain exclusive insights: As part of the summer camp, the young footballers headed inside the BayArena at midday on Tuesday, 21 July, where they were due to meet Werkself keepers Janis Blaswich and Simeon Rapsch in the press conference room. The two players took plenty of time to answer every question from the inquisitive audience – whether it was about their own careers or their first impressions of the new head coach. Finally, there was even time left to sign autographs for the young fans.
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Alejo Sarco has left Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join Sporting Gijón in Spain’s second division. Bayer 04 have secured a buy-back clause for the 20-year-old Argentine striker, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed 16-year-old midfield prospect Gabriel Minutillo on a long-term contract. The Germany youth international will play for the U19s this season.
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