"Mum and child are doing well. We're all very happy," Seoane proudly declared at the start of the press conference before adding: "I actually always try to separate my professional from my private life but when you become a father you can't compare or describe those feelings with anything in football." The Swiss manager then moved on to tomorrow's encounter with FC Augsburg on matchday two: "We want to produce a good performance tomorrow and we finally want to get a result," said Seoane in setting out a clear target for the first game on home turf. According to Seoane that primarily requires "high energy and aggression."
The Werkself have one statistic in their favour: Leverkusen have been undefeated in the last 22 matches against Augsburg. Seoane did warn however: "I'm not interested in the results from the past. Augsburg have a new coach and a different approach to the game this year." The 4-0 defeat against Freiburg last weekend does not reflect the performance levels of FCA. "Therefore, I'm expecting an exciting Bundesliga match where we will have to look to our own performance and show our quality," said Seoane. In addition, the coach praised his team in training this week: "We have worked with focus and concentration."
Seoane is still unable to call on Florian Wirtz. The Werkself number 27 is currently on holiday in Ibiza but is working hard on his comeback out there. The 43-year-old manager is also unable to select Robert Andrich. The midfielder is making good progress, "but is unavailable to play tomorrow as the risk is too high," said Seoane.
There is also good news about Amine Adli: The Werkself number 21 has completed numerous individual sessions in recent weeks and also started full training again, and the striker will be back in the squad for the first time against FCA: "Amine has recovered well and has had the green light from the medical department and is able to play again. He's an important player and we believe he can have his first minutes on the pitch again but we obviously have to be careful."
Following the suspension of the captain Lukas Hradecky, Gerardo Seoane has chosen to put Andrey Lunev in goal. "It's not always easy to accept the role as the second or third goalkeeper but I have to pay a big compliment to all the keepers. They are professional in their day-to-day work." The Swiss coach describes Andrey Lunev as a very experienced keeper: "He is very calm and I think he enjoys the fact he will be playing in such an important match tomorrow. We have full confidence in his quality and ability."
For the opening match at the BayArena, the Werkself can concurrently look forward to the backing of 23,000 Black and Reds supporters in the stands. Fan clubs are calling for a fan march at 10.00 CEST from the Market Square in Wiesdorf. 300 Augsburg fans are expected to make the trip to Leverkusen.
Gerardo Seoane is also looking forward to the first match at home in the new season: "We have very sensitive fans. Last season they showed they have a very good sense of when the team needs support," said Seoane before adding: "Of course, positive and negative feedback is all part of it but we always feel we have great support from our fans and look forward to seeing a lot of people at the game tomorrow."
Bayern Munich come to the BayArena this Saturday with an 11-point lead in the Bundesliga as they look to take a step closer to the title. As imperious as they may seem, a weakness has emerged of late that the Werkself proved they can exploit in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the Champions League. Leverkusen are also looking to make it four Bundesliga home games unbeaten against the Bavarians. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the 15:30 CET kick-off in our matchday news.
Show more
Another home game, another top opponent - another marker? Three days after their convincing performance in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg, Bayer 04 continue their Bundesliga campaign with an equally high-calibre fixture. Matchday 26 sees league leaders Bayern Munich visit the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the clash, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about a comparison between Arsenal and the Bavarians, Bayern's high-scoring performance in Europe's premier club competition and a return to the squad for one Werkself player.
Show more
High spirits and previously untold stories: Around 100 Bayer 04 fans packed the Schwadbud fan pub in the east stand of the BayArena on Thursday evening to be there in person for the first instalment of the new series of events entitled “Rudi lädt ein” (Rudi invites you). They listened intently as long-serving Werkself players Gonzalo Castro and Stefan Kießling chatted with record appearance-maker Rüdiger Vollborn and presenter and stadium announcer Tobias Ufer about their many years together at the club, shared amusing anecdotes and revealed dressing room secrets. Anyone who missed the premiere can already look forward to the second instalment – on 12 May, Rudi will be testing the expert knowledge of Bayer 04 fans during a quiz night.
Show more
The Bundesliga home game against VfL Wolfsburg in the first half of the season was one of those classic ‘days to forget’ for Bayer 04 Women. It started with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll being shown a red card in the first minute of the game, and following a further sending-off, coach Roberto Pätzold's 9-women side ended up losing 5-1 to last season's runners-up. At 18.30 CET on Sunday, they'll have the chance to exact revenge at the AOK Stadium - and pick up valuable points in the race for third place.
Show more
They're well on their way to becoming German champions for the 35th time and once again proved their incredible class in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. This Saturday, 14 March (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayern Munich will be the visitors to the BayArena. It'll be a meeting of the two Bundesliga teams with the most dominant styles of play. A look at our opponents shows the visitors from the Bavarian capital have many strengths - but are also vulnerable.
Show more
