Back
15.09.2021Europa League

Seoane ahead of #B04FTC: Take offensive quartet out of the game

Bayer 04 face a team from Hungary for the first time since 1994. Ferencváros, the opponents on Thursday, 16 September (kick-off: 18.45 CEST/stadium opens: 16.45 CEST), are the current champions as well as record title winners. Head coach Gerardo Seoane is looking for his team to make a successful start to the new Europa League campaign at the BayArena. The main challenge is to work against one of the strengths of the team from Budapest as the Werkself head coach made clear at the pre-match press conference.

Jonathan Tah and Co. face a crowded fixture list over the coming weeks. The opening fixture for the Black and Reds in Europe in the 2021/22 season is against Ferencváros. "There is great anticipation ahead of competing with European teams," said Gerardo Seoane a day before the clash. Leading player Tah, who the head coach said had a good chance of being in the starting eleven, added: "We want to get the best possible result in the game."

In the final pre-match training session on Wednesday morning, Seoane had a full complement of outfield players with the exception of the three long-term absentees through injury Edmond Tapsoba, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Julian Baumgartlinger. "Charly Aránguiz is also 100% available following small problems after the international break," said the Swiss boss.

Bundesliga experience and high Tempo

The Bayer 04 head coach was not only concerned with his own team ahead of the match: In analysing the forthcoming opponents from Hungary, he is mainly focused on their attack: "They have a number of players who can pose a threat," the 42-year-old initially mentioned the former Bundesliga player Robert Mak. In Ryan Mmaee and Tokmac Nguen, Ferencváros also have two fast players with good technique and Myrto Uzuni is ready for anything on the left flank.

crop_20210915_NB_B04_PK_EL_B04_gegen_Ferencvaros_Budapest_20001.jpg

"They will want to make the most of their strength in transitional play. Our defenders will face the challenge of standing up to that strength," said Seoane expects a different game from the last outing against Borussia Dortmund: "It is down to us tomorrow to have more possession and to force the opponents back."

"WE are aware of the format"

The new format will be used in the Europa League from tomorrow (Thursday). The team finishing top in the group will qualify directly for the Round of 16 and thereby avoid an additional round. "We are aware of the format of the competition. Our aim is to compete for top spot. The final positions in the table are irrelevant at the moment."

Seoane and his Werkself team face the priority of making a successful start on the European stage and to extend the winning run against Hungarian teams – in 1994 there were 2-0 and 5-0 victories against Honvéd.

Match information:
Broadcasters: TVNOW and Werkself Radio
Referee: Andris Treimanis (Latvia)

)

Related News

FBL e.V. gegründet
Women - 10.12.2025

Association of all Women's Bundesliga clubs: FBL e.V. officially founded

The clubs in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga have opened a new chapter in the history of women's football in Germany. With the official founding act of the "Frauen-Bundesliga FBL e.V." on Wednesday afternoon in Frankfurt am Main, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and the 13 other top-flight clubs have joined forces for the first time.

Show more
LIVE ab 13.50 Uhr | Bayer 04 - Newcastle United | UEFA Youth League
Werkself-TV - 10.12.2025

LIVE from 13:50 CET | Bayer 04 vs Newcastle United | UEFA Youth League

The Bayer 04 U19s today, Wednesday 10 December (kick-off: 14:00 CET), host Newcastle United on the sixth and final matchday in the league phase of the UEFA Youth League. For coach Kevin Brok's team, the game against the English side is about securing a place in the next stage of the competition and a historic first appearance in the knockout phase. Werkself TV will broadcast the match live and free of charge from the Ulrich Haberland Stadium from 13:50 CET...

Show more
Die PK mit Hjulmand und Quansah vor dem UCL-Heimspiel gegen Newcastle | 6. Spieltag UCL
Werkself-TV - 09.12.2025

Hjulmand ahead of #B04NEW: ‘Take the next big step’

Will Bayer 04 emulate their away wins at Benfica and Manchester City? Newcastle United are the visitors at a sold-out BayArena on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21:00 CET/live on Werkself Radio) to round off the UEFA Champions League games for the year. Coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke in advance about the momentum in Europe's premier club competition and gave an encouraging personnel update. Jarell Quansah also spoke about his experiences playing against Nick Woltemade and his wish for the Bayer 04 fans.

Show more
Nick Woltemade für Newcastle United
Champions League - 09.12.2025

Our next opponents: 'Big Nick' delighting the Magpies' fans

Newcastle United have amassed nine points after five matchdays, one more in the UEFA Champions League than the Werkself. The Magpies are also steadily improving in the Premier League, where they're currently unbeaten in four games. On Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21:00 CET), Eddie Howe's side will be the visitors at the BayArena. He's also likely to field two Germany internationals in the game. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Youth League
U19 - 08.12.2025

Youth League decider against Newcastle United: ‘It’s in our own hands - we want to take our chance."

The situation ahead of the showdown is clear - and promising. The Bayer 04 U19s host Newcastle United on the sixth and final matchday of the 2025/26 UEFA Youth League phase. A win at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium would see the Werkself go through to the knockout stages of the competition for the first time. Ahead of the clash on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 14:00 CET/livestream on bayer04.de and in the Bayer 04 app), coach Kevin Brok spoke about the successful build-up, his assessment of the match and the danger of underestimating the already eliminated English side.

Show more