"After the Hannover game, there was huge disappointment amongst the team at missing out on the target of a Champions League spot," said Herrlich at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon ahead of the Gladbach game. Following that low, his players were all highly motivated – particularly when he started the pre-season on 5 July. "The motivation was brilliant from the start. And although there wasn't always that much to shout about in the friendlies, I can sense a real hunger, a great desire amongst the group – everybody's looking forward to getting going again," said the 46-year-old coach who also stressed there are different levels of expectation after very impressive performances at times last term. It is even more important to get off to a good start in tomorrow's encounter with Gladbach at Borussia Park. "Borussia Mönchengladbach are a very ambitious side – you can hear and read that everywhere. They've really strengthened and improved their squad. Nevertheless, we want to go there and, if possible, take all three points like we did last season," said the Werkself head coach confidently laying down the line.
The man from Mannheim is opting to overlook the fact the Bayer 04 medics and physios have their hands full at the moment. In addition to Julian Baumgartlinger (knee), Lukas Hradecky (rehab), Joel Pohjanpalo (ankle), Panos Retsos (thigh), this week saw keeper Thorsten Kirschbaum (thigh) plus Lars and Sven Bender (knee and ankle respectively) join the injury list – they are all unavailable for the opening fixture for the Werkself. "Lars and Sven Bender can't wait, both definitely want to play. Above all, with Lars it's the case he absolutely wants to get back on the pitch and tolerate the pain. But after discussions with the medical section, the risk is too great and we want to avoid them being sidelined for any longer than is necessary," said Herrlich in ruling out the captain and his twin brother: "I just want to have fit players on the pitch tomorrow." At the same time, he expressed his complete confidence in his other players. "I've always said we need 20 first team players to be strong enough given the crowded fixture list and to be able to produce the performances needed to be successful in all the competitions," said Herrlich and he promised: "We will field a very good team tomorrow."
It is certainly possible Charles Aránguiz will be in the squad. The 29-year-old Chilean has recently missed out due to knee and Achilles problems. That now appears to over. "Charly is still being treated and looked after by the medics but he has made very quick progress, trained very well this week and coped well with the workload. After today's final training session, we'll decide if we can take him with us," said Herrlich raising high hopes of the midfield maestro returning to action.
Around 3,000 fans will be in the away end at Borussia Park tomorrow night supporting the Werkself. There are some tickets available on the night.
Under Carles Martínez, the Werkself have so far proved unbeatable at the BayArena. The Spaniard has led his team to victory in all three of their most recent home matches – and, it's worth noting, without conceding a single goal. On Sunday, 18 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST / live on DAZN and Werkself Radio), current league leaders SC Freiburg will make the trip to Leverkusen, but will be without their top scorer. What's more, the Werkself have won all three of their previous home matches against the Black Forest club. With a goal, Patrik Schick could not only secure a fourth consecutive victory but also set a memorable record. Meanwhile, on what will be the ‘Health Day' at the BayArena, much of the focus will be on physical wellbeing. Today's matchday news.
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Bayer 04 Women missed out on victory in the Google Pixel Bundesliga as they were held to a draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. Estrella Merino Gonzalez had put the Werkself ahead directly from a corner at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion, before Laura Freigang levelled for the visitors as it finished all square between fourth and third on Matchday 7.
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Freiburg have made an impressive start to the season, unbeaten in nine games across all competitions, with eight of them wins. Now the Bundesliga leaders come to the BayArena on Sunday to take on the Werkself, but Julian Schuster’s team will be missing their top scorer. Here’s the lowdown on our next opponent.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without attacking midfielder Martin Terrier for the time being. The Frenchman sustained a muscle injury to his left hamstring yesterday, Thursday 15 October, during the Europa League game against Polish champions Lech Poznan (4–0). Terrier is not expected to be available until late December.
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