Back
26.08.2022Werkself-TV

Seoane before #M05B04: “Focus is on defensive work”

The Werkself are away at Mainz on Saturday, 27 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST) for Matchday 4 in the Bundesliga. It sees Gerardo Seoane and his side take on a host who are still unbeaten this season (W2, D1) and fourth in the table. The 43-year-old spoke at his press conference on Friday about what the team worked on in training during the week and the importance of defensive work for the meeting at the MEWA Arena.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

Seoane appeared pleased with training over the past week. He said the team had worked with great concentration and focus over the past few days. “We’ve tried to tackle the negative situation together. You can only reproduce a Bundesliga matchday in small sequences in training, but I felt lots of motivation and energy to work on the game plan together after the disappointment.”

Challenges, communication, mentality

In terms of the on-field aspects, the areas of challenges, communication and mentality were tackled: “It needs a hint more from everyone in the current situation in terms of these points,” the Swiss coach added. “We have to show willingness, above all in challenges, accepting the rigorousness and supporting each other.”

They want to remain loyal to their attacking play, but the current focus has clearly been on defending. “Obviously we want to excite the spectators, score lots of goals and have greater vigour in attack, but we can only do that when we work in a compact, determined and aggressive way against the ball beforehand,” continued Seoane, who also says that these include shoring up against the counter, an organised covering defence and clearer positioning after turnovers.

Seoane: “Mainz play with confidence”

The 43-year-old has a clear goal for tomorrow’s game against Mainz: “We have to turn our words into actions and implement the things we’ve planned and trained.” Seoane believes the opposition is assured and determined: “Mainz play with confidence, especially at home, and play with a healthy dose of rigorousness and force. We want to stand up against that and play out our own situations well.”

unchanged squad

Seoane expects to be able to draw upon the same squad as last weekend’s loss to Hoffenheim. Charles Aranguiz has trained individually due to muscular complaints but was again able to work with the team yesterday. If the Chilean midfielder has no problems in Friday’s final session, he’ll be available on Saturday.

The Werkself have sold 1,614 tickets for the game at the MEWA Arena and are looking forward to great support in Mainz.

Related News

Chinesische Delegation mit Stefan Kießling
Bayer 04 - 07.10.2026

BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou visits Leverkusen

Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.

Show more
Juniorinnen-Talenttag am Kurtekotten
Women - 06.10.2026

‘The standard is getting higher and higher: Junior Talent Day at Kurtekotten with 90 girls

Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.

Show more
Claudia Wenger jubelt
Women - 06.10.2026

Head-to-head battle for World Cup spot: Eight Bayer 04 women on international duty

Austria or Kosovo? Claudia Wenger or Lumbardha Misini? Only one of these two Bayer 04 women will see her dream of competing at the World Cup in Brazil (24 June to 25 July 2027) live on beyond the next two weeks. From a Leverkusen perspective, the two direct clashes between the Werkself players as they battle for a place in the second play-off round stand out during the upcoming international break. For several other players, the chance of a World Cup place is also at stake. Bayer04.de provides an overview of the women’s international call-ups.

Show more
Tobias Ufer und Rudi Vollborn
Sustainability - 05.10.2026

Interactive health checks, cancer screening and more: Health Day at the BayArena

Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.

Show more