One player is missing for tomorrow’s trip to Bremen: Lars Bender. The team captain suffered an injury to his foot and is sidelined for the Werder game. Kevin Volland is also unavailable as he continues his recovery in rehab from an ankle ligament injury. “Otherwise, we’ll have all the lads with us who are normally in the squad. We’ll also have some youth players with us, including Florian Wirtz,” said Bosz, who expressed his satisfaction with the youth player: “He has to be a good player – otherwise he wouldn’t train with us regularly as a 17-year-old.”
A day before the restart in Bremen, the Dutchman highlighted the “very good” discipline of his team. “I’ve been working with them for three months during the coronavirus pandemic and I have to say they know what’s expected of them. In addition, our team doctor Dr. Karl-Heinrich Dittmar was very good in explaining to them what they can and cannot do,” said Bosz, who has logically dedicated attention this week to the thought of “how we can win the game against Werder.”
In preparation for the game, the Werkself played a practice match at the BayArena simulating the new coronavirus conditions. “We have to be able to handle it. The emotions will be different and also the situation of being able to hear more. We’ve tried to reproduce that at our own ground with eleven-a-side training,” said Bosz.
The circumstances around the hygiene regulations applicable before and after matchdays plus the absence of fans are both new experiences for the Dutch coach. The 56-year-old paid close attention to yesterday’s first Bundesliga fixtures in 66 days – above all, on the rivals in the race for a Champions League slot. “Of course, we’re looking at our direct rivals. But I don’t think we’re under more pressure because of that. We have to mind our own business and win our games,” said Bosz. After the two-month break, the desire is still there for the “attractive and dominant” Bayer 04 style of play.
For the first time, matchday 26 also brings the rule change of five substitutions instead of three per team per match that applies to the end of the season. Bosz: “That gives us coaches extra chances of having more influence on the game.”
Match information:
Broadcasters: DAZN and Werkself Radio (bayer04.de)
Referee: The match officials will be announced on the day of the game
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From his arrival at the airport, the medical and contract signing, right through to photo shoots, his very own trading card and his first interview at the BayArena: Werkself TV followed new signing Afonso Moreira up close on his first day in Leverkusen. In the interview, the 21-year-old Portuguese left-winger, who has joined the Werkself from Lyon, talks about his excitement ahead of joining Bayer 04 and the Bundesliga, as well as his conversation with head coach Carles Martínez. Moreira also reveals the secret behind his iconic goal celebration – which he intends to perform “as often as possible” at the BayArena next season...
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