Back
14.04.2022Bayer 04

Seoane on personnel situation: No excuses

Monday was about recovery, Tuesday a day off for the Werkself – and Wednesday saw the start of the build-up for the big match against RB Leipzig. Head coach Gerardo Seoane gave a personnel update following the first training session for the Werkself after the goalless draw at VfL Bochum. The key names: Sardar Azmoun, Jonathan Tah and Karim Bellarabi.
crop_20220413_JS_Training_0363.jpg

"Karim will definitely miss a couple of games but we are hoping Jona will be able to play at the weekend," said the Swiss coach about the two players who went off injured. Bellarabi suffered a muscle injury in his left thigh in the Bochum game, and Tah was taken off due to a rib injury.

 

crop_20220413_JS_Training_0149.jpg

Sardar Azmoun was able to train again with the squad on Wednesday after recovering from flu. "Sardar needs more time to be 100% fit," said Seoane. The 43-year-old coach is still hoping to be able to call on the services of the winter signing against Leipzig on Sunday 17 April (kick-off: 19.30 CEST): "He can help us immediately in the run-in with his instinct and his technique."

"Ambition to achieve the maximum"

The difficult personnel situation – with Wirtz, Adli, Frimpong and Fosu-Mensah already out for the rest of the season – was specifically excluded as an excuse by Seoane in the press conference: "We have the motivation and the ambition to achieve the maximum."

The head coach is confident looking back at the first half of the season: "We showed how to do it before the winter break when we didn't have any strikers available. We have to believe in our own strengths and look for new options."

 

Related News

Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 25.05.2026

Season review 2025/26, part II: Highs and lows of an eventful season

Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 24.05.2026

2025/26 season review, part I: Upheaval, change, euphoria

Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.

Show more
Emily Wallrabenstein and Achim Feifel
Women - 22.05.2026

Seventh new arrival: Bayer 04 sign centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein from Frankfurt

The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.

Show more
Paulina Platner und Achim Feifel
Women - 21.05.2026

Bayer 04 sign midfielder Paulina Platner from Essen

Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.

Show more