
Kerem, the 2-1 victory over Porto was the fourth win in succession. How confident is everybody ahead of the clash with FC Augsburg?
"Of course, a run like that builds confidence. We can go into the game on the front foot. But the match against Augsburg starts with the score at 0-0. We'll have to put in as much effort as we did against Porto to win this game. It won’t be a walk in the park."
You played the full 90 minutes on Thursday and provided the assist for the opening goal. What's your assessment of the game looking back after a couple of days?
"It was disappointing to concede a goal. Particularly as the foul, that led to the free kick ahead of it being 2-1, definitely wasn't right. It was a mistake by the referee. But I'm sure we can put on a very good display in Porto and get on the score sheet."
In Florian Niederlechner, Augsburg have the third highest goalscorer in the Bundesliga in their ranks. How will you stop him on Sunday?
"We need to concentrate more on ourselves. Of course, the coaches will prepare us very well for the opponents once again but we're playing at our ground and in front of our own fans. We want to control the game and win it at the end of the day."
Augsburg haven’t won the last two games and are mid-table. What sort of opposition are you expecting?
"They're a team that play well in transition. Therefore, we definitely need to avoid making mistakes in possession in our build-ups. And we want to play our game. We'll have to do a lot off the ball to create space and to make ourselves available for team-mates. That worked against Porto so long may it continue."
There are some crucial weeks ahead. The mood in the team could hardly be better, wouldn't you say?
"Of course, a run of wins does have an effect on the atmosphere in the dressing room. But much more important than a good atmosphere is the desire for success. We are still in three competitions but haven't achieved anything yet. So it's all about carrying on."

Two Saturdays, one Friday and one Sunday: The dates for the Bayer 04 Women's team games on matchdays 16 to 19 have been finalised. Three of the four matches scheduled by the German Football Association (DFB) on Tuesday will be played at home at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium.
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Despite a courageous display, the Bayer 04 Women missed out on a surprise at the start of the second half of the Bundesliga season. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team lost 3-0 to league leaders Bayern Munich on Monday night. An early goal from the clinical visitors, a disputed penalty and another spot-kick prevented Leverkusen, who are seventh in the table on 22 points from 14 games, from picking up a point in front of 3,011 spectators at the sold-out Ulrich Haberland Stadium.
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Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...
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