'Not as many chances as in the home game'
The Werkself head for Sinsheim on the back of three wins on the bounce. Bayer 04 play TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at the PreZero Arena on Saturday 1 February (kick-off: 15.30 CET).
The game at the BayArena earlier in the season ended all square at 0-0 but the stats were clearly in favour of the Black and Reds: 75 per cent possession, 20 shots on goal, 19 corners. "But I'm not expecting us to have as many chances as we did in the home game. Therefore, we’ll have to make better use of them," said head coach Peter Bosz at the pre-match press conference.
In order to achieve the desired improvement in converting chances, Bosz has, in the training sessions over the past few days, "placed great value on working on moves in the final third of the pitch. We have a lot of players with great ability in this area. That makes me confident we can improve our conversion rate in the future as we did in the home game against Düsseldorf (3-0, ed.)."
"progress at TSG"
The Dutchman also praised our next opponents in the press conference ahead of the game. Hoffenheim have made progress since the first meeting in August. The team coached by Alfred Schreuder secured wins against Borussia Dortmund and away at FC Bayern (both 2-1). "Analysis shows that they have achieved very good results above all against teams in the top half of the table," said Bosz before concluding: "As I reckon we are also in the top half of the table, it won't be an easy game for us."
Lars Bender on board
Bayer 04 captain Lars Bender missed several training sessions last week to give him a rest. The defender was back in full training this week and he will be available for selection in Sinsheim. That means the only players missing are midfielder Charles Aránguiz (muscular injury) and winter signing Exequiel Palacios who is currently suspended.
"Very talented"
Head coach Bosz also talked about new signing Florian Wirtz who has been brought in by Bayer 04 from the youth section at FC Köln. The Dutchman on the U16 international: "He is still very young at 16 – but very talented nonetheless. I'm happy to work with young talents and to help him build a great career."
Match information:
Broadcasters: Sky (TV) and Werkself Radio (bayer04.de)
Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Oberasbach)
Tickets: 650 Werkself fans travelling to Sinsheim. Tickets are available on the day from 13.30 CET at the ground.
Related News
Bundesliga - 29.11.2025
Matchday news #B04BVB: Various campaigns around big game
There won’t just be plenty of excitement on the pitch as Bayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena at 18:30 CET on Saturday. Outside the stadium there will be collection points for food donations to the Leverkusen Foodbank, which will also benefit from the profits of a jersey raffle in the Fanwelt afterwards. There will also be a minute’s silence before kick-off following the passing of long-time Werkself player Dieter Herzog, before two fan clubs are honoured for their decades-long support at half-time and fans receive a talk about Orange Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
Show more
Werkself-TV - 28.11.2025
Hjulmand ahead of #B04BVB: ‘Play our game again’
Bayer 04 go into the first of two successive clashes with Borussia Dortmund boosted by their Champions League win at Manchester City. Ahead of the Bundesliga top match on Saturday, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the tight schedule, BVB's strengths and returning squad members.
Show more
Bundesliga - 28.11.2025
Our next opponents: Effective up front, stable at the back - BVB on course
Borussia Dortmund are doing very well in terms of points and results in the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. BVB have only suffered two defeats to date this term. Now coach Niko Kovac's team are away to the Werkself on Saturday night, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET) in the top match on Bundesliga matchday 12. The two teams meet again three days later in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie in Dortmund. Two very competitive encounters are on the cards. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
Women - 27.11.2025
3-2 friendly win - Women defeat Dutch league leaders
The Bayer 04 Women clcoked up a 3-2 win in a friendly against Twente Enschede on Thursday afternoon in the last international break of 2025. In drizzle, Lilla Turanyi (16’), Kristin Kögel (65’) and Paulina Bartz (69’) scored the goals for the Werkself against the Dutch Eredivisie Vrouwen leaders, who are still unbeaten in the league.
Show more
