…selection options – apart from long-term injuries Pohjanpalo and Retsos: "Lars Bender is ruled out for tomorrow due to a thigh problem, otherwise everybody else is available."
…Lars Bender's injury: "He injured himself in training yesterday. I don't know exactly what's up – the doctor has just told me he can't play tomorrow."
…opponents Bayern Munich: "They've improved and are now playing better than before the winter break. They have a good team but we also have a good team. And so I'm expecting – as was the case before the matches against Gladbach and Wolfsburg – an interesting and intense game."
…tomorrow's encounter: "If you want to get a good result against Bayern then everything has to go right – not just the offensive or defensive game. We'll try that tomorrow. I think we've gained confidence from the last two games. Gladbach and Wolfsburg are good teams but it's also clear that Bayern are at another level. That means everything really has to go right tomorrow. And that's what we'll try to do."
…the improvement in his team: "We've been working together for about a month and it's easy to understand that not everything is quite what I'd like to see. But if I look at our last two games then I have to say that I'm very happy. I think we – in this one month – have reached a higher level. But to beat Bayern you have to be right on top of your game."
…increased confidence of his team: "I can't judge that. I've not been here that long but I can say that the players are confident. At the start I didn't have the impression that there was no confidence. I don't know what it was like before I started here and I can only say: Since I've been here, the players are confident – and they've shown it. It's also important that they are confident in the way they play – and they've shown that too."
…potentially helping out his former employers: "Yes, that's right – we can help Dortmund tomorrow but, above all, we can help the nice people who work here at Leverkusen. That's more important to me. We want to help ourselves and we can do that by having a good game."
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-3 loss at VfL Wolfsburg on the 22nd matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2024/25...
Show moreBayer 04 Women ended their record-breaking 2024/25 Bundesliga season with a 3-1 defeat at Wolfsburg. It means Roberto Pätzold’s side finish the campaign with an unprecedented 43 points and 13 wins in fourth place for the club’s highest-ever finish. Cornelia Kramer scored the Werkself’s goal in the 75th minute.
Show moreBayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund in their final home game of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. The Matchday 33 encounter this Sunday (3.30pm CEST) is a sell-out at the BayArena, which will say goodbye to several players like Jonathan Tah and also coach Xabi Alonso. Here’s all you need to know ahead of this crucial game for both teams.
Show moreIn front of a full house at the BayArena, Borussia Dortmund are the opponents on Bundesliga matchday 33 on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). For BVB it is about important points in the race for a Champions League spot while the Werkself are looking to maintain the chance of the second best season in the club's history. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, head coach Xabi Alonso talked about the approach to the clash. In addition, the Spaniard officially announced his departure from Bayer 04 at the end of the season.
Show moreA few weeks ago Borussia Dortmund were marooned in mid-table mediocrity in the Bundesliga. Then the Black and Yellows started a run that overcame all comers. And suddenly a Champions League spot was again within reach. BVB will be looking to take the next step towards the big target at the BayArena on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Coach Niko Kovac has almost his full squad available. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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