Before the start of the current season Herrlich predicted BVB would win the league. “I think I was the only Bundesliga coach not to tip Bayern Munich as the next German champions,” he said at Friday’s pre-match press conference before adding: “I still think the Dortmund squad is full of quality.”
There is still a huge amount of respect – in spite of BVB’s recent dip in form (two points from the last six league games). “If you follow the recent reports in the media then you almost feel Dortmund are so bad that we’ve already won the game,” said Herrlich and countered: “That’s obviously not the case! My main concern is keeping those opinions away from my players and make them aware BVB did not concede a goal in their first five games and were at the top of the table for quite a long time.” He also pointed out Dortmund managed to score four goals in 25 minutes against FC Schalke at the weekend. “That’s quite an achievement,” said the Bayer 04 coach. “We need to focus on our defensive game and take BVB seriously all the way.” That’s the only way we’ll be able to perform to the best of our ability.”
To achieve the best possible result and extend the run of nine games unbeaten, Herrlich is once again looking for solid and organised defence in front of a sell-out crowd at the BayArena: “The crucial point is that we don’t give anything away and keep a clean sheet for as long as possible. That will be decisive.” As a positive example, he brought up the move leading to his team’s winner in the 1-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt when Julian Brandt sprinted back to clear in his own box and thereby set up the counter-attack that led to the winning. “It demands great character to take heart from little things. One of those is always working with the people next to you. If you work hard in every position then you can be very successful,” said Herrlich.
In spite of the recent move up the table, he is taking nothing for granted: “You always have to do your best. I set out to win every game. Between the second and third international breaks we started to get back on track in terms of results. But I still see room for improvement.”
Tomorrow’s fixture is also special for Sven Bender. Before signing for the Werkself in the summer, the defender spent eight seasons at BVB. Following the double rib fracture he suffered in the 1-1 draw away to Augsburg at the start of November, the 28-year-old is set to return just in time for the tough task against his former club. “Sven has trained all week without any problems. I think there’s nothing standing in the way of him playing,” said Herrlich. The Bayer 04 coach can also call on Leon Bailey who missed the Frankfurt game late on due to an infection. The same applies to Wendell and Benjamin Henrichs who both return from suspension. Herrlich will only have to manage without the services of the suspended Dominik Kohr and theinjured Vladlen Yurchenko in the clash with Champions League participants.
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
Show moreTo all Bayer 04 fans: The Fanwelt will be closed all day next Monday 30 June. This is due to preparations for the change of kit supplier from Castore to New Balance on Tuesday 1 July.
Show moreThe Norway U23 international Julie Jorde has completed the move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Brøndby IF. The twelve-time champions of Denmark have signed the midfielder on permanent terms after her loan move from the Bundesliga to Denmark in the winter.
Show moreIt is almost two years since Bayer 04 new signing Abdoulaye Faye first stepped foot into the BayArena as a player for the Swedish club BK Häcken in the opening match in the 2023/24 Europa League campaign. A day before his nineteenth birthday, the central defender did not play in the 4-0 win for the Werkself but it was "an incredible night" for him on 21 September 2023 as he explained in his first interview on bayer04.de. "I watched the players and saw the fans. I liked it." It was also the first European night early on in his career. He only joined the then champions of Sweden in the cold north of Europe from his home in Senegal a few weeks before that special moment. Bayer04.de profiles our new defender.
Show moreWelcome, Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old Senegalese central defender joins Leverkusen from top-flight Swedish club BK Häcken. In his first interview he talks about his move to Bayer 04 and his targets with the Werkself.
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