The team under head coach Gerardo Seoane are well and truly back to winning ways: The late victory against Celtic on Thursday night not only saw the Black and Reds win the group with a game to play and secure a slot in the Round of 16. The 3-2 victory was also the third win in the last four games (1 draw). “In comparison with the Bochum match (1-0, ed.) we took a clear step forwards yesterday,” declared Seoane at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. “Above all in being compact at the back. We closed down space well, were aggressive and solid.”
Sunday’s visitors are not the only team in form at the moment. The hosts from Leipzig have recovered in recent weeks. RB made an impressive return to form in the Champions League with a 5-0 runaway win at Club Brugge. Seoane: “That match was enough of a preview. We know what to expect. But we also know we have the players to find the right solutions against them.”
It remains to be seen whether any of the convalescent quartet of Patrik Schick, Lucas Alario, Karim Bellarabi and Charles Aránguiz will be in the squad. “The final decision will be taken on Saturday afternoon in discussion with doctors and the physios,” said Seoane. He did consider including one or the other aforementioned players in the squad for the Europa League match against Celtic but decided against it in the end.
The Werkself are the only team in Germany’s top flight unbeaten on the road. With the first match behind closed doors this term, Lukas Hradecky and Co. will experience new, old circumstances. “Unfortunately, we’ve all been involved in games behind closed doors and we have drawn certain conclusions from those experiences. We’ll get used to it pretty quickly,” declared Seoane. “Of course, it’s a great pity there’ll be no fans at the game. We need them and their emotion.” In view of the precarious situation in Saxony, the Swiss coach said: “It’s clear the public health situation always has to take priority.”
With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
Show more
Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
Show more
FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
Show more
Together with his family, friends and close associates, Bayer 04 Leverkusen bid farewell to Peter Hermann. The club’s long-serving assistant manager passed away on 19 September following a serious illness. Today, Thursday 8 October, Bayer 04 held an event attended by around 200 invited guests to commemorate Peter Hermann’s legacy. Representatives from the DFB and the other professional clubs where Hermann worked paid their respects to him at the BayArena.
Show more
