Back
6.09.2022Champions League

Andrich on Champions League: ‘Feel great anticipation’

Bayer 04 have arrived in Bruges: A brief pitch inspection at the Jan Breydel Stadium was followed by the pre-match press conference at the media centre of the Belgian champions on Tuesday evening. The key statements from head coach Gerardo Seoane and Robert Andrich who could make his debut in the UEFA Champions League tomorrow against Club Brugge (kick-off: 21.00 CEST).

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

"There's no doubt we are looking forward to this new competition," stated Gerardo Seoane at the start. "Our participation in the Champions League is the reward for very good work last season by many, many people at our club."

According to the Swiss coach, the Werkself are expecting the Belgian champions to be a "team strong at home who have a good mix of the physical and footballing quality."

Debutant Andrich, winner Hudson-Odoi

While Gerardo Seoane has been in the dugout six times in the champions league in the 2018/29 season as the head coach of the Swiss club Young Boys Bern, Robert Andrich is waiting for his first appearance in Europe's premier club competition. The Werkself number eight was playing in the third division four years ago but the dream of playing in the Champions League was in his mind back then: "I said to myself I’d do it by 27. Now I’m here at the age of 27 and I'm proud of it. It will be a moving, special moment for me. The anticipation is growing and growing!"

crop_20220903_JS_CLU_B04_MD1_0840.jpg

One player who does know how it feels to play in the Champions League is teammate Callum Hudson-Odoi. The six-year younger new signing at the Werkself won the tournament last summer with Chelsea. Ahead of the game, Seoane refused to divulge whether Hudson-Odoi would start at the Jan Breydel Stadium. The technically gifted Englishman with his confidence on the ball staked his claim with a "convincing" performance in Saturday's home game against SC Freiburg.

Over 1,200 Werkself Fans in Bruges

In spite of the 3-2 defeat against Freiburg, Seoane took several positives in the clash. So, the approach to the game against the Belgian champions will require "courage, energy and complete conviction," as the Leverkusen head coach declared at the end.

The Werkself will again be able to rely on strong support from the stands at the Jan Breydel Stadium: Over 1,200 Bayer 04 fans will be at the game on Wednesday night.

Related News

Derby win on Carnival friday | 18th matchday
Werkself-TV - 13.02.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 2-1 win in derby against Köln

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win against FC Köln on the 18th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Willkommen Aleksa Damjanovic | Bayer 04 verpflichtet Sturm-Talent von Roter Stern Belgrad
Werkself-TV - 13.02.2026

First interview with Aleksa Damjanovic: ‘This step means a lot to me’

Bayer 04 have secured the services of Serbia U19 international Aleksa Damjanovic for next season. The 17-year-old centre-forward will move from Red Star Belgrade to Leverkusen in the summer on a long-term contract. The 1.98 metre tall striker is regarded as one of the most promising attacking talents in Europe and has recently impressed with strong performances at both first team and youth level. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes and director of football Kim Falkenberg particularly praise his finishing, heading ability and physical presence in the penalty area.

Show more
FC St. Pauli beim Torjubel
Bundesliga - 13.02.2026

Our next opponents update: FC St. Pauli bounce back

After seven games without a win, the 2-1 home victory against VfB Stuttgart last weekend provided a real boost for the Kiezkicker and their fans. FC St. Pauli now head to Leverkusen again with plenty of momentum. On Saturday, 14 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET), the Hamburg side face Bayer 04 for the third time this season, with the last game against the Werkself less than a fortnight ago. Despite the defeat in the DFB Pokal quarter-final, coach Alexander Blessin's team can take some positives from that game. The update on our next opponents.

Show more
Marc Landwehr
eSports - 13.02.2026

#B04eSports: Perfect yield at the start of final showdown

The Bayer 04 eSports team made a great start to the fifth and final showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26! The Leverkusen players picked up nine points in the first three of six matches in the online preliminary round. Victories against VfL Wolfsburg, Eintracht Braunschweig and SpVgg Greuther Fürth not only put the Black and Reds in a good position to progress to the offline round. Valuable points were also collected for the overall table and direct entry into the final event of the German Club Championship.

Show more
Gegner-Check
eSports - 12.02.2026

#B04eSports: Bottom three at start of final showdown

The fifth and final showdown of the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 begins for the #B04eSports team this Thursday, 12 February (live on the VBL Twitch channel from 18:00 CET), with the online preliminary round kicking off against VfL Wolfsburg, Eintracht Braunschweig and SpVgg Greuther Fürth. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more