The Swiss coach is "confident" regarding the clash with the Foals who beat FC Bayern 2-1 in their last outing. The 43-year-old boss has been encouraged by training this week. "The team were very focused and self-critical in dealing with the match against Union Berlin (2-2, ed.)," explained Gerardo Seoane at Friday's pre-match press conference. "The players responded accordingly in training."
Nadiem Amiri has returned at the end of the week. The 25-year-old is fit and healthy after recovering from a Covid-19 infection. "Nadiem made a good impression," said Seoane. "So, he is available for the match."
Asked about media speculation of Amiri moving on, Seoane said: "It's January and the transfer window is open. Speculation is part and parcel of that. There is something to it but there's also an additional element from the media. That doesn't really interest me the day before a game. He's back with us and we're happy about that."
The following players are unavailable for the match against Borussia Mönchengladbach due to injury: Julian Baumgartlinger, Charles Aránguiz and Daley Sinkgraven. In addition, Edmond Tapsoba and Odilon Kossounou are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, goalkeeper Niklas Lomb and Paulinho are still in self-isolation.
The Werkself have now gone four Bundesliga matches without a win. However, that has not created uncertainty in Gerardo Seoane's team as the Swiss coach emphasised: "We are highly motivated and focused on our jobs."
After five league matches without a win, the twelfth-placed team from Mönchengladbach started 2022 with a victory away to the record champions from Munich. In that game, Adi Hütter's team demonstrated their "dynamism and power but also their quality on the pitch. But I'm convinced that we will be able to play our own game and find the right answers."
The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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