"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.
Season tickets for the Werkself home matches in the new Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga season are now on general sale. The season ticket is valid for all 13 matches at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The first home match will be played between 28 and 31 August against the runners-up, VfL Wolfsburg, followed by the clash with the German champions, Bayern Munich, between 11 and 14 September.
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A new team, a new environment, a new challenge—and yet one thing remains the same for Afonso Moreira: his attitude. Total dedication, discipline, and the drive to improve every day have defined the Portuguese player since his early days at Sporting CP. “Even back then, I realized I had to work hard to achieve my goals,” said the 21-year-old. His parents also instilled those values in him from a young age. Values that have driven him ever since, accompanied him to France when he signed for Lyon, and now also form the foundation for his new chapter at Bayer 04. At a media session, the lightning-fast winger spoke about his values, as well as his new teammates, the new coach, and his targets at the club.
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Former Bundesliga and Germany keeper Manfred Manglitz, who was promoted to the Oberliga West with Bayer 04 in 1962, passed away on Monday at the age of 86.
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Justine Brandau and Lobke Loonen joined the Bayer 04 Women’s squad in quick succession this summer. The two Dutch players have been friends since their youth days, and are now playing for the same club for the first time. In an interview at the training camp in Rieden, Brandau and Loonen talk, amongst other things, about their experiences as opponents in the Vrouwen Eredivisie, the dynamic within their new team and their first few weeks in Leverkusen.
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