The 43-year-old Swiss coach acknowledged the 2-0 win for Leipzig away to Atalanta on Thursday night. “It will be an extremely difficult game. We need to find the right balance,” declared Seoane at the pre-match press conference on Good Friday.
The Werkself in third place currently have a one-point lead over the rivals from Saxony who have picked up an impressive 29 points since the winter break (Leverkusen: 24). One of the key players for the Red Bulls is the midfielder Christopher Nkunku. The France international has clocked up 17 goals and 15 assists in the Bundesliga this term – and is the player with second highest numbers of goal involvements in Germany’s top flight behind Robert Lewandowski (33).
“Nkunku is good at dribbling and extremely quick,” said Seoane. “We’ll have to act cleverly against him and the other Leipzig players both tactically and individually in one-on-ones. Covering behind our lines and doubling up on the player in possession – those are really important elements against them.”
Jonathan Tah could feature again after being substituted due to injury in last weekend’s goalless draw at VfL Bochum. Seoane explained that the defender had completed a number of individual sessions and he also joined his teammates on the training ground on Friday. “The workload wasn’t that high today as we worked more on tactics,” said the Swiss coach. “Jona has a good chance of being available on Sunday.”
This week’s training regime was similar for Sardar Azmoun. The winter signing was also on the training ground on Friday and Seoane said of the striker “it’s possible he may be available against Leipzig.”
A disciplined defensive performance in the second leg saw Bayer 04 prevail against Olympiacos in the play-offs of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26. Thanks to the 2-0 away win in the first leg, the goalless draw at home at the BayArena was enough to ensure progress to the next round. The Black and Reds kept their opponents away from their goal for the best part of 90 minutes.
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Bayer 04 can go through to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the ninth time tonight, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET) and be in the top 16 clubs in Europe. A good omen: Leverkusen have progressed to the next round after winning the first leg in 20 of their 22 knockout rounds in European competitions to date. For their part, Greek record champions Olympiacos rested several players for last weekend’s league fixture ahead of the play-off second leg at the BayArena and will now do everything in their power to turn the tide with their usual aggressive and high pressing. The discussions on Werkself radio are likely to be just as intense as the battle on the pitch, with commentator Florian Bechholz welcoming honorary captain Stefan Kießling and goalkeeper Mark Flekken. Today’s matchday news.
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With the advantage of the 2-0 first-leg win in the play-offs, the Werkself are looking to book their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League at the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the home game against Olympiacos on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand and goalkeeper Janis Blaswich spoke about the position ahead of the match, the visitors' strength at set-pieces and a personnel issue for the home side.
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With a win in the Greek Super League last weekend, Olympiacos achieved success on the pitch ahead of the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg at Bayer 04 on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET). Coach José Luis Mendilibar rested many of his regular starters.
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