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 are away at Bayern Munich, who have won all 14 of their competitive fixtures in 2025/26, for Saturday evening’s Bundesliga match (kick-off: 18:30 CET). However, Bayer 04 are also in good form themselves, earning 16 of a possible 18 points in their six league games under Kasper Hjulmand. The 2023/24 double winners are also unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga meetings with the reigning champions. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game at the Allianz Arena.
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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 personalised 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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Peter Zanter was born on 11 November 1965 in Wermelskirchen in the Rhineland. His passion for football was evident from an early age: As a child, he played enthusiastically for the youth teams at SV Dabringhausen and SV Wermelskirchen. His ability and discipline did not go undetected for long - and he joined the youth section at Bayer 04 at a young age.
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Boris Zivkovic was born on 15 November 1975 in the Bosnian town of Zivinice, which is now part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He played for FK Sarajevo at a young age. However, his youth was characterised by the turmoil of the wars in the former Yugoslavia. At the age of just 17, he was also called up and took part in the fighting - a fate shared by many young men of his generation.
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For once, this is going to be about me. About my path into football, my years as a goalkeeper at Bayer 04 and my ‘career after my career’ at this great club. So, come with me on a little journey through time...
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