Back
30.01.2017Bundesliga

Schmidt: ‘Motivation through competition’

There was great disappointment at Bayer 04 after losing to Borussia Mönchengladbach and neither the pros nor Roger Schmidt are looking to hide that fact. After an analysis of the game our head coach addressed the current overall position and Friday's match against Hamburg SV.
© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

Roger Schmidt...

...on lessons from the Gladbach game: “We made a mess of it as a team and we shouldn't have given the game away. A number of aspects struck me: For example, we were not so decisive and compact in our structure and at times we lacked the aggression that we normally show – especially when the opponent tries to play into our lines. Beyond that, it was also striking that we were very careless at times in defence. There were a lot of situations we actually had control of but then made dangerous for ourselves including in the first half. We need to be decisive in our defensive work. It's not simple to solve problems at the back as that needs great determination. We were definitely missing that on Saturday in one or other situations.”

...on the poor second half: “We didn't handle the lead well. It was clear to us we would get our chances through perfect defensive work and stability, gain possession and win the game. However, we were careless after the restart in giving away a great chance to Hazard. We were too naïve in certain situations.”

...on determination in the team: “Just relying on footballing ability, that is definitely there, is not enough. We can only be successful as a team through through determination. That's what we've stood for over the past years and that's the way we've achieved our targets – unfortunately we forget that from time to time.”

...on bringing on Kai Havertz: “Havertz is a player who is decsive and makes few mistakes on the ball. He's capable of going forward, is solid in his challenges and, beyond that, he's good in the air. Given the size of our players we aren't a strong team in the air. Kai's done that well.”

...on the quality at dead balls: “We've been very dangerous at set pieces. That's a positive we can take from the first two matches.”

...on the current situation: “We’ll do well to keep focusing on the next match and not announce a chase. That makes sense and that's what we'll do. On Friday, we’re playing against another team with their backs to the wall. So we’ll have to show a reaction as a team.”

...on competition in the squad: “Over the course of a week in training one or two players have get very close to the squad. Kevin Volland had his best training session of the year today, didn't have any reaction to his injury and he looked good. Games like the one against Gladbach give a coach the opportunity to create new motivation through competition. Of course, lessons from analysis of the Gladbach match will also play a role in our line-up on Friday at Hamburg.”

...on preparations for the HSV match: “Up until Saturday's match the team and made a good impression this year. Training was very good, we hadn't played so carelessly in friendlies or in training as we did against Gladbach. I believe and am convinced that they are ready to accept the criticism based on the analysis and go on to do better next time. We will be very focused on training to prepare properly for the game and benefit from competition. Those are the crucial points this week.”

© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

Related News

Begegnungslogo
Bayer 04 - 02.07.2025

Tickets for the friendly at Chelsea

The Werkself are away to Premier League club Chelsea in the final pre-season friendly. The game against the current holders of the UEFA Conference League is on Friday, 8 August at Stamford Bridge with the kick-off at 20:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.

Show more
Begegnungslogo
Bayer 04 - 02.07.2025

Tickets for the friendly at Fortuna Sittard

The Werkself are away to Dutch top-flight club Fortuna Sittard in the third pre-season friendly. The match is on Friday, 1 August at the Fortuna Sittard stadium with the kick-off at 19:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.

Show more
Begegnungslogo
Bayer 04 - 02.07.2025

Tickets for the friendly at VfL Bochum

The Werkself are away to VfL Bochum in the second pre-season friendly. The match is on Sunday, 27 July at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion with the kick-off at 18:00 CEST. Read on for the latest information on ticket sales.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 02.07.2025

U21 Euros winner Jarell Quansah joins Bayer 04 from Liverpool

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the England U21 international and European champion Jarell Quansah. The central defender joins Leverkusen from Premier League champions Liverpool on a contract to 30 June 2030.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 01.07.2025

New chapter – same fire: Bayer 04 and New Balance present 2025/26 home jersey

A striking look and innovative design as an expression of a forward-looking partnership: With the official presentation of the current home jersey, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and sports equipment manufacturer New Balance start a new era in tandem. For the first partnership with a professional German club, the American company from Boston, Massachusetts has developed a creative new interpretation of the Leverkusen club colours. A row of red lines, made up of slender crosses, merges into a black background. Inspired by the world famous Bayer Cross, the jersey is a symbol of a new beginning without forgetting historical roots.

Show more