Back
24.03.2022Bayer 04

Seoane: It’s about being effective and positive results

While a total of twelve Werkself players are away on international duty this week, there is hard work going on in and around the BayArena. Following the training session on Wednesday morning, head coach Gerardo Seoane shared his views on current issues.
crop_20220103_JS_Training_0260.jpg

Gerardo Seoane on…

…the current personnel situation: There were no serious injuries from the Wolfsburg game. Karim (Bellarabi, ed.) has made a successful comeback after his injury. Rob (Andrich, ed.) was also up to the full 90 minutes at the weekend. In the international break it's about looking after players so there are no new problems. Patrik (Schick, ed.) is now beginning the second phase of his rehab and is gradually joining in with full training. Everything has gone well up to now. At the same time, muscle injuries like that involving ligaments are always somewhat more complicated to assess than for example a break so we will have to be very careful in terms of workload. Andrey (Lunev, ed.) will probably be back with the team next week.

… the organisation of this week's training: We consciously wanted to do things a bit differently this week. For us it was about being more careful in training and not risking any new problems. That's why we worked more on stamina on Tuesday, Wednesday included a fitness programme and there will be another programme on Thursday. The players have the weekend off so that we can start again on Monday at our full strength.

Julian Baumgartlinger’s progress: Baumi has done a lot of sessions with high intensity in recent weeks. He is in a very good state of fitness. Then it's always about observing how the body reacts and that's mostly going up and down but also step-by-step more and more in the right direction. He is not yet 100% so there is a lack of power in challenges but he's already able to get fully involved and has confidence in his own body. It's always difficult to join in in the middle of the season because you not only have little time to adjust but we also have to weigh up if it's too early and when not. Given our current situation, I'm sure he will still be important for us. Above all, Baumi is an important part of our team in terms of character. He's always motivated, supports others, has a lot of energy, good dynamism and takes responsibility.

…the role of Odilon Kossounou in the right-back position:  Odilon obviously interprets the role of right-back differently from Jeremie (Frimpong, ed.) due to his qualities. That also always changes the shape of the game. As coaching staff, we always have to see what opportunities we have to use players where they can bring us the most benefit. That means we can play with a back three or a back four. He provides stability in defence above all through his physique, strength in challenges and power. It's difficult to get past him. But he is also quick and valuable at set pieces. The switch from position in central defence to the right-back position is generally pretty big but he can adapt quickly and has done it very well.

…targets for the rest of the season: There are always different phases in a season. At the start, it was primarily about focusing on development and continual improvement of performances and now, towards the end of the season, it's about being effective and positive results. We know it will be tight right to the end because there most probably won't be any team who will win or lose all of their remaining games. Therefore, we don't want to look at others or make loads of calculations but instead produce our maximum in every game and end by securing a Champions League place. For us that's an important interim target in view of the future for keeping the team together and developing further.

 

Related News

Farbenstadt-Kollektion
Fans - 13.06.2025

Summer, sun, Farbenstadt: Get the new range now!

Calling all Werkself fans: The new Farbenstadt range is available now from the Bayer 04 online shop and the Fanwelt. This includes new T-shirts made of 100% organic cotton, zip-up hoodies and jogging bottoms in five different summer colours.

Show more
Carlotta Wamser im Trikot der Nationalmannschaft
Women - 12.06.2025

New signing Carlotta Wamser in Germany EURO 2025 squad

Bayer 04 new signing Carlotta Wamser has been called up to the Germany squad for the Women's EURO 2025 finals in Switzerland. For the 21-year-old winger, who is set to join Bayer 04 from Eintracht Frankfurt for next season, it is the first participation in a big international tournament.

Show more
imago1062915507.jpg
Bayer 04 - 11.06.2025

Internationals: Crucial win for Finland - Hincapie books World Cup ticket

Following the end of the season for Bayer 04, a lot of Werkself players are currently on the road with their national teams. The Leverkusen players are involved in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League, qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and international friendlies. Read on for the latest news on international fixtures involving Werkself players.

Show more
Brazil
Bayer 04 - 06.06.2025

Bayer 04 start preparations for the 2025/26 season in Brazil

Bayer 04 Leverkusen will be the first Bundesliga team to hold their pre-season training camp in South America. The 2024 Bundesliga and DFB Cup winners will be in Rio de Janeiro from 14 to 24 July. Under the motto "Esquenta!" ("warm up"), the Werkself will prepare for the new campaign at the training facility of Flamengo Rio de Janeiro, one of the most renowned and largest clubs in South America.

Show more