Leverkusen have very good memories of their last encounter with Dortmund, as Seoane recalled at his pre-match press conference on Friday. It’s also the first time in over two years that the two teams will meet in a full stadium following the end of restrictions. “The excitement ahead of the game is huge. It’s a top match to start us off and a big challenge against a good opponent, which we happily accept and in which both teams will put on an attractive game,” the 43-year-old said.
The Swiss coach believes that improvements across the board are required after the cup defeat. “We have to improve in many areas compared to the cup game. The most important thing against a good team like Dortmund is to work well in defence when we don’t have the ball, close up the spaces and support each other.” The boss also believes that greater aggression in defensive work is the foundation for more determined play in attack.
Bayer 04 had a week of focussed and intense training for that. Seoane added: “Obviously we were still very disappointed at the start. But an immediate reaction on the pitch is now key. It was important that the players were all engaged and focussed in training from Tuesday. I can sense a great passion and desire within the team.”
He believes that consistency is one of the key jobs for the coming season. “It might sound a bit foolhardy after the last game, but we’re ambitious and want to be among the league’s top teams like last season and keep the fight for the title exciting as long as we can. We have exciting players who’ve already taken a step forward and will keep doing so.” However, consistent performances are needed in all areas over the long term to “get the most out of what we’ve got,” as Seoane clearly stated.
Seoane also believes Saturday’s hosts are a team with lots of quality this year. “Dortmund have realigned very well in the summer, both in central defence and in attack. They’ve also got players with a lot of experience in their ranks,” the coach said before poignantly adding: “At this point our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Sebastien Haller. An excellent player with finishing ability who could replace Erling Haaland.”
Seoane has no new injury concerns compared to the cup game at Elversberg. Apart from Amine Adli and Florian Wirtz, the whole squad is available for selection. Adli returned to team training this week, but according to Seoane still needs time until he can play.
Seoane’s side can count on the support of 5,294 Leverkusen faithful for Saturday’s trip to the Signal Iduna Park.
The team itself will make the short journey north on Friday afternoon following final training in Leverkusen.
The Werkself training camp officially began early on Tuesday morning with the landing in Rio de Janeiro. Ahead of the first session in the afternoon local time, bayer04.de profiles the talented youngsters from the youth teams who have travelled to Brazil.
Show morePreparations for the 2025/26 season are in full swing with the new head coach Erik ten Hag working for the start of the season in the middle of August. After the timings for the first matchdays in the forthcoming Bundesliga season were confirmed a few days ago, we now provide information on the first sale phase for match tickets. The early booker phase, exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members, brings some changes. Read on for further information.
Show moreBayer 04 are away to SG Sonnenhof Großaspach in the first round of the 2025/26 DFB Pokal. The match is on Friday, 15 August (kick-off: 18:00 CEST) at the WIRmachenDRUCK Arena. Read on for the latest ticket information.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen will partner closely with parent-company Bayer during its preseason tour to Brazil from July 14 to 24 this month. The backing from Bayer of the “Bayer 04 Brasil Tour” has been crucial in organizing the groundbreaking training camp for ten days, plus a host of local activities and community events capped by the match against Flamengo's U20 team on July 18 at Estádio da Gávea.
Show moreThe bags are packed and Bayer 04 will set off for Brazil in a few hours. Over the next ten days, the team led by head coach Erik ten Hag will be the first Bundesliga side to hold a training camp in the country of the five-time World Cup winners. The Werkself will train at Flamengo’s Campus Ninho do Urubu under the motto ‘Esquenta!’ (warm up) and play a friendly against the U20 team of the world-famous club. Read on for training camp timetable.
Show more