
Gerardo Seoane on…
… the crucial factors for the win against Mainz 05: I think it’s difficult for every team to come out on top against the physical and direct Mainz team. But I have to praise the team as they put our plans into action on the pitch. We displayed a completely different attitude. The crucial element I saw was the readiness to tackle and challenge and the resulting number of duels won. We didn’t give Karim Onisiwo and Jonathan Burkardt much space over the full 90 minutes and we also definitely had the upper hand in the match. That influences the whole energy in a game like that.
… the mood after the first win: We need several good performances and positive results. It was an important win that was needed and helpful but we are aware that we are still a long way from where we want to be. The Sunday training session was obviously good but we also tried to finish dealing with the game on the day. From today we are totally focussed on the next opponents. To that extent, our mood was not significantly different from usual. We had and today have a positive mood and excitement in the team.
… the focus in training this week: It’s always my belief that we as coaches are able to identify what’s required and needed as best as possible: What will the game be like, what will the opponents offer. At the same time, we try to find the right mix between our thoughts, the players available to us, what confidence we can bring and many other factors. It’s our job every week – to anticipate what sort of game we’ll see and prepare for it accordingly.
… the next opponents SC Freiburg: I see Freiburg as a team with many sides and strengths. They are – similar to Mainz – very determined in challenges, have a strong mentality they can call on in every match and their game has developed in the past few years so you have to take them seriously as the league table reflects at the moment. They will pose us a lot of questions so we need that same team spirit again to come out on top.

Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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The champions of Slovenia NK Celje are in a European competition for the fourth time in their history. This Wednesday, 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the side lead by head coach Vitor Campelos visit the BayArena for matchday 1 in the group stage in the UEFA Europa League. Celje’s last match at the weekend did not go to plan. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Construction work continues on the ‘Haus der Talente’ on Kurtekottenweg in Leverkusen, where 36 young elite athletes will find a new home from next summer. The building team from Temmink Bau, led by Thomas Wellers, are hard at work. Over the past few days, excavators, wheeled loaders and rollers have removed 2,500 cubic metres of soil to excavate the basement.
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