No wonder as Frankfurt are currently fifth in the Bundesliga and just two points behind the Werkself. A win for the Herrlich team could extend the lead over Eintracht and would bring the target of securing a Champions League place a step nearer ahead of the DFB Cup clash on Tuesday. "We want to make a positive impact on the game and take all three points," said the 46-year-old coach.
He hopes his players have learned from past mistakes and go into the game with the right attitude following the outstanding 4-1 victory over Leipzig on Monday. "We have to see desire. In the past it was less evident after we'd played well," said Herrlich in setting out his demands on his players. The Werkself produced an impressive performance in the 2-0 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach a month ago before a lacklustre display in the derby at FC Köln. "I think all the players recognise the situation – we're in the run-in at the end of the season and now we're playing an opponent on a level with us who are also in the race for a European spot," said Herrlich before adding: "And it would be huge step forwards if we can beat a top six team at home. We haven't managed it so far."
To make sure that happens, he is once again trying to prepare his players as far as possible to take on the opposition. He has quoted Kevin Volland and Jonathan Tah as motivation. "Both of them said after the Leipzig match that the team has raised the bar and now they have to live up to that," declared the coach. "Those statements send a clear signal to their team-mates to demonstrate their readiness and repeat their success from Monday," said Herrlich before adding: "A team always depends on what's inside them and the players have to show their passion."
Lucas Alario (suspended), Wendell (ankle) and Joel Pohjanpalo will all miss the Frankfurt game. "Joel hasn't made it unfortunately," declared the Bayer 04 coach, "there are still questions marks over Sven Bender and keeper Bernd Leno. Well have to wait for the final pre-match training session." Both suffered knocks in Monday's game.
The Bayer 04 coach does not believe the opposition will be weakened in front of a full house at the BayArena by the announcement that Niko Kovac has been appointed as the new FC Bayern coach. "I assume the team and the coach are professional enough. They have European qualification in their sights. And they come here fully focused on that target and they will try to get a result." He did have words of praise for his fellow coach: "Congratulations to Niko. He has really achieved great things in the past few years and turned a relegation candidate into a team that has ambitions of competing at the very top. He's done a great job. My compliments to him.“
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 0-1 loss against TSG Hoffenheim on the 19th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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The Bayer 04 Women suffered a setback in the race for third place in the Bundesliga table. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team lost 1-0 at home to direct rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday afternoon, with a penalty after two minutes deciding the match. With 32 points and a game in hand, TSG have moved above the Werkself, who remain on 31 points. There is now a three-week international break before the remaining seven Bundesliga matches.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without defender Loïc Badé for the time being. The Frenchman suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh in Saturday’s 1-0 Bundesliga defeat at FC Union Berlin. The diagnosis was the result of an MRI scan this Sunday morning.
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It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.
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