Back
24.08.2022Bayer 04

Seoane: 'We have to improve our emotional balance'

Reflect, analyse, work – that was the clear description of this week's training targets given by head coach Gerardo Seoane at yesterday's press conference. Following last Saturday's 3-0 defeat at home to TSG Hoffenheim, the Swiss coach returned to the training ground with his players yesterday Tuesday 23 August. The squad completed a highly focused, committed and intensive 90-minute session. In the ensuing exchange with journalists, the 43 year-old coach once again cast a self-critical eye over the match against Hoffenheim, gave an insight into his personal approach to such situations and highlighted what was needed in the forthcoming matches.
crop_20220819_JS_Training_0382.jpg

Gerardo Seoane on…

…the state of mind after the game against Hoffenheim: Every win and every defeat feels different. This time the disappointment was particularly big because we had actually trained really well in the week. The training sessions were really lively and that makes a defeat even more painful. I think we started well in the game, were on it, pressed the opponents and through that created a couple of chances. So it definitely wasn't down to lack of desire or commitment. But Hoffenheim defended very well in a block and closed down space. In turn, we lost possession too often at the back line and the opposition looked to get their chances in transition – with success.

...his personal handling of defeats: After the game, I try – together with the coaching and staff team – to go through the match again. It's less about the physical points but instead mainly about how we make concrete plans: how we organise the Sunday, what messages we consciously give to the team, whether we want to give them time at first or go straight into in-depth analysis. After that I take time to clear my head and be certain of how I can recharge my batteries up to 100 per cent. The team needs a coach even more in situations like that. Therefore, it's my job to show the absolute commitment to the route we're on.

…communication with the team: Overall, we want to find out what does the team good and what we can use most in the next match. We try to analyse that with the players with lots of joint discussions. We are interested in how each of them perceive the game and how they feel. Everybody has a different way of doing it. For me as a player it always helped if I felt total confidence from the coach and he was always open to feedback. Therefore, we try to be open and transparent when we communicate with each other.

…the importance of emotional balance: At the moment, the emotional state on the pitch is a crucial factor. How we react to going behind is clearly an important point where we have to improve. We have to get used to a bigger level of frustration so that we don't distract ourselves from our own energy levels in such situations. The paradox there is that this emotional rollercoaster is one of the good things about football at the same time. We haven't achieved that emotional balance. However, I'm convinced the team will produce a different performance at the weekend and show more energy and power.

Related News

Eliesse Ben Seghir
Bayer 04 - 27.01.2026

Ankle injury: Bayer 04 player Ben Seghir out for several weeks

Bayer 04 Leverkusen will to have manage without forward Eliesse Ben Seghir. The Morocco international suffered a ligament injury in his left ankle before the AFCON final defeat against Senegal (0-1 a.e.t.).

Show more
eSports
eSports - 27.01.2026

#B04eSports: Reunion with Leipzig in part two of the Showdown Four preliminary round

The VBL Club Championship 2025/26 continues. Tonight, 27 January (live on Twitch and on the Bayer 04 app from 18:00 CET), the Leverkusen eSports team will play the remaining three matches in the online preliminary round of Showdown Four. They are up against FC Kaiserslautern, SC Freiburg and the current club champions and Showdown Three winners RB Leipzig, with whom Bayer 04, club runners-up and Showdown One winners, shared some memorable moments, especially last year. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Jonas Omlin
Bayer 04 - 27.01.2026

Former Borussia captain with international experience: Jonas Omlin profile

Welcome to Leverkusen, Jonas Omlin. Bayer 04 have signed the 32-year-old goalkeeper on loan from Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach until the end of the season. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes described the Swiss shot stopper, signed by the Werkself in reaction to the long-term absence of first choice keeper Mark Flekken, as an "internationally experienced keeper." Bayer04.de takes a closer look at the new signing, who will wear the number 18 jersey.

Show more
Tour-Pass
Champions League - 26.01.2026

Sound of Dreams tour pass: Pick up your final sticker now and take part in the competition

Under the motto ‘Sound of Dreams - #aCROSS Europe 2025/26’, Bayer 04 are turning this season's UEFA Champions League season into a festival. In addition to a Spotify playlist that fans can use to get in the mood for the Champions League nights, there is also a tour pass with stickers for the respective UCL matches exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members. These could be picked up in the respective weeks of the matches. The sticker for the final clash in the league phase (Villarreal, 28 January, 21:00 CET) is now available at the Fanwelt. The competition for all diligent sticker collectors is also now open. Read on for further information.

Show more