Back
16.04.2021Bundesliga

Wolf ahead of derby: 'Display passion and the right mentality'

Register the second win in his third game as head coach of the Werkself: In the home clash with FC Köln on Saturday, 17 April (kick-off: 18.30 CEST), Hannes Wolf is looking to pick up the next points in the race for a European spot as well as presenting Bayer 04 fans with a second derby win in the current campaign. The 39-year-old has a certain amount of experience in derby games.
20210416_JS_PK_OPB.jpg

The brilliant 4-0 win in Cologne in the middle of December was followed by Hannes Wolf, "but we don't want to look too far back in the past but instead concentrate on tomorrow," declared the head coach on Friday. "It's about winning the next derby. And to do that we have to play good football but also display passion and the right mentality on the day."

In addition to defensive solidity, as already shown in Wolf's first game against FC Schalke 04 (2-1) and most recently in the 0-0 draw against TSG Hoffenheim, it is now about creating more chances. Wolf: "We’re at home and we are playing for a place in Europe. Of course, we want to score goals. Tomorrow would be a very good evening for that."

Managerial change at FC Köln

With the opposition, Friedhelm Funkel will be in the dugout again as the FC Köln head coach for the first time at the BayArena on Saturday. The 67-year-old coached the team from Cologne 20 years ago and started his second stint at the club on Monday. Before that, Funkel was the coach at Fortuna Düsseldorf for four years up to the start of 2020. "In that time, he had different approaches to games. Therefore, it will be good for us to focus on ourselves," said Wolf. The Werkself head coach is not expecting FC Köln to adopt destructive and defensive tactics.

Wolf and derby experience

Wolf has already experienced games like the one between Bayer 04 and FC Köln in previous points of his career. As a youth coach with Borussia Dortmund he played against FC Schalke 04. In his first team roles at Stuttgart there were clashes with Karlsruhe, and at Hamburg SV the rivals were FC St. Pauli. "I've already been involved in several derbies and am totally aware of the significance of this match. Now it's about Leverkusen coming out on top against FC Köln and increasing our points return to seven with the addition of three more points."

Match information:
Broadcasters: Sky and Werks11 Radio
Referee: The match officials will be announced on the day of the game

Related News

crop_20231123_JS_VVL_Onyeka_0019.jpg
Bayer 04 - 29.11.2023

Bayer 04 extend contract with top talent Francis Onyeka to 2027

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have given U17 player Francis Onyeka a long-term contact. The club has agreed a deal with the 16-year-old to 30 June 2027.

Show more
crop_20231121_JS_eSports_0227.jpg
eSports - 29.11.2023

#Bayer04eSports: Four points on triple matchday

#B04eSports team suffered the first defeat of the season on matchday five in the VBL Club Championship 2023/24. Last night’s other games ended in a win and a draw. The Black and Reds are now fifth in the North West division.

Show more
crop_imago1033454396h.jpg
Europa League - 28.11.2023

Our next opponents: Third-place finish in Swedish top-flight

BK Häcken have yet to gain a point in Group H. The club from Gothenburg entertain the Werkself on Thursday 30 November (kick-off: 21.00 CET). Häcken will be looking to improve their record in the last European home game of the year against the group leaders.

Show more
19031127_Brief_Hauschild_an_Direktion.jpg
Bayer 04 - 27.11.2023

Letter from 27 November 1903: Basis for foundation of club in 1904

Bayer 04 celebrate a special anniversary next year. 1 July 1904 saw the foundation of the sports club from the paint factories called the ‘Turn- und Spielverein der Farbenfabriken vorm. Friedr. Bayer & Co. in Leverkusen’

Show more
crop_20231125_JS1_2209.jpg
Bundesliga - 26.11.2023

Werkself review #SVWB04: ' Clear game plan' with 'mature performance'

The Werkself beat Werder Bremen 3-0 on Bundesliga matchday 12 and again succeeded in holding on to top spot in the table as well as setting a new Bundesliga and club record. The facts, stats and reaction to the away win in Bremen is here in the Werkself review.

Show more