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.”
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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