His team have happy memories of the last meeting between the two sides. On matchday 34 in the last campaign the Werkself ran riot at the Berlin Olympic Stadium with a 6-2 win against Hertha. "That match is still in the minds of the players. That gives them confidence and belief,," said Herrlich. The same applies to the 4-0 win against SC Freiburg on Sunday. In spite of the euphoria following the impressive performance of his team against Freiburg, the Bayer 04 coach warned against ignoring the basics that led to the win at the weekend. "We can't forget what was needed in terms of running, battling and working before we were able to express our quality on the pitch," said Herrlich. "The lads deserve to be praised but it's important to look to continue to build on the win."
It is clear that Bayer 04 face a tough opponent in her to Berlin. Their impressive defence (only four goals conceded in six competitive matches) drew respect from Herrlich. "They have focused on conceding as few goals as possible. That means it's a different proposition from the Freiburg game." A different proposition but the same starting eleven? That is possible. "There's a lot to say we should field the same team," said Herrlich who can be happy that no other players are ruled out of contention despite the short recovery time. At the same time, the Werkself coach has the home game against Hamburg on Sunday at the back of his mind. "We have to keep in mind that arrest for one of the other player would be good." The Werkself starting eleven for the match in the capital of Germany will be decided after the final training session before flying off on Tuesday afternoon.
Tin Jedvaj is definitely ruled out. And Lucas Alario will not travel with the team to Berlin either. Bayer 04 believe there is little chance the striker receiving permission to play before Wednesday. "If he trains here on a one-to-one basis then that will give us more in terms of Sunday's game," said Herrlich who was optimistic that the Argentinian will be in the Werkself squad for the game against Hamburg. The focus now, as Herrlich declared, is on Berlin: "We are now concentrating on Hertha Berlin and the players that are available." The coach and his team are looking for a second win of the week with the support of 600 travelling Bayer 04 fans. "We want to return with a result and hopefully three points," said Herrlich.
The Werkself visit Borussia Dortmund for Matchday 30 of the 2023/24 Bundesliga season on Sunday 21 April (kick-off 5.30pm CEST). The Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team has all the info you need for the match at the Signal Iduna Park...
Show moreThe Werkself are through to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League thanks to a second-half comeback. Michael Antonio put West Ham United in front early on the night in the quarter-final second leg but Jeremie Frimpong levelled in the 89th minute at the London Stadium. After the 2-0 win in the first leg, the draw was enough for Bayer 04 to progress.
Show moreReturn leg in London: tonight, Thursday 18 April (kick-off 21:00 CEST), the Werkself visit West Ham United. All the information you need on the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg at the London Stadium is in the Matchday News.
Show moreAfter the week’s celebrations of the club’s first ever league title, Bayer 04 are now focused once again on their UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg away at West Ham United on Thursday (kick-off: 9pm CEST). The Werkself are in a good position with a 2-0 lead from the first game, but it’s not over yet, as head coach Xabi Alonso and midfielder Granit Xhaka stressed at their pre-match press conference in London on Wednesday evening.
Show more