In search of a win away to Greuther Fürth, the main focus at the BayArena this week was on attacking. "What we've recently been missing is definitely being clinical in the final third," said head coach Gerardo Seoane at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. The past few days has seen more one-to-one discussions as well as individual video analysis. "We've said to the lads what we demand and expect of them in each game: brave and direct approaches to the penalty area but also shots from outside the box."
In spite of the Cloverleaves being bottom and facing relegation (eleven-point gap to sixteenth place), Seoane believes his team face a demanding challenge – also due to the changed approach that has brought more stability to the Fürth defence in recent games: "They’ve played good football for a long time. They will be courageous and compact at home as they are in every game," analysed the Swiss coach. "For me, our performance on the day is crucial. We have to be more offensive and pose more of a threat on goal without losing our defensive shape."
How the Werkself defence will line-up will only become clear after the final pre-match training session on Friday afternoon. Edmond Tapsoba received a kick on the ankle in the 1-0 home defeat against RB Leipzig last Sunday and he still had slight problems on Thursday. Seoane on the 23-year-old central defender: "If the final training session is normal for Eddy then he'll be with us tomorrow."
In the event that Tapsoba is not available in time, the head coach has left-footed Daley Sinkgraven in mind for the right side of defence; the right-footed Odilon Kossounou would move into central defence alongside Jonathan Tah. "Of course, it's different for a player in terms of orientation but you can make your mark offensively on the ‘wrong’ side. Daley has high technical quality and great game intelligence that will obviously help him in a different position," said Seoane about the Dutchman.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 midfielder Jonah Berghoff ahead of schedule. The Germany U18 international has signed professional terms with the club to 30 June 2030.
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With sixth place at the end of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign, Bayer 04 ended a season in the top third of the table for the ninth time in a row. While the Werkself were narrowly eliminated in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 by eventual finalists Arsenal, the Black and Reds reached the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal for the third season in succession. As in previous years, you once again have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app up to and including 11 June.
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With 46 points in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga, the Bayer 04 Women’s team once again broke the previous season's club record and ended up in fifth place - 15 wins is also a record. As in previous years, you now have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is open exclusively to Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app by 11 June.
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The guests at the Scala Club in Leverkusen were amazed when host Reiner Calmund suddenly brought the Managing Director of Sport at Bayer 04, Simon Rolfes, and record Werkself appearance maker Rüdiger Vollborn onto the stage. As part of the show "An Evening with Football & Friends", organised by long-serving Bayer 04 managing director and general manager Calmund, the two surprise guests drew plenty of applause - and provided great entertainment in exciting conversations about the past and future.
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