Speaking at the visitors' press conference on Friday afternoon, his opposite number Ralph Hasenhüttl predicted an exciting and heart-fought game at the Leverkusen stadium: "Two really good teams face each other. I would definitely go there as a spectator," said the Leipzig coach. "Both teams are similar in their approach and both have high quality players in attack," added Hasenhüttl - who sat next to Herrlich when the pair were working to earn their coaching licences in 2005.
For Herrlich it is not just an encounter with one of the strongest rivals in the league. "We don't need to beat about the bush: Leipzig are there where we want to be. The game is a chance for the club and the team to show we want to get back there," explained the 45 year-old at the pre-match press conference held at the media centre at the BayArena, broadcast live as usual on bayer04.de and Facebook. "Ideally we'll take all three points tomorrow and that would represent a big step forwards for us."
In all probability, that will come down to the Werkself pros taking a decisive approach to the game. "Leipzig are very strong at counter pressing when they lose possession. You have to be able to deal with that. When we have the ball we definitely won't have much time to think about where we're going to play it. We have to make quick decisions. and that's exactly what we've tried to learn in the past two weeks," said Herrlich.
Ahead of this crunch encounter, the Bayer 04 head coach is happy the personnel situation at the Werkself has improved in the past few days. Jonathan Tah (back) and Benny Henrichs (viral infection) were able to rejoin full training at the start of the week. Leon Bailey and Wendell have both recovered from colds.
This game comes too early for Sven Bender who made a surprising return to the training ground on Wednesday just eleven days after his double rib fracture in the Augsburg match. "Sven Bender definitely wanted to try it out in training yesterday but in the end he had almost unbearable pains," explained Herrlich. "So it doesn't make sense as the risk is too big for us. We'll see if we can get it sorted by next week. But only if we don't disrupt the healing process again." At the same time, he focused on other players: "Of course, Sven Bender is special and he is the absolute boss in defence. But we have a very good squad and enough quality players who can fill in. And that's what we'll do." In terms of names or further details he didn't want "to give too much away."
Bayer 04 are expecting a capacity crowd at the BayArena for the clash with the team in second place – and around 1,200 fans are expected from Leipzig
A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
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Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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