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.
The highly successful and mutually appreciated partnership between Bayer 04 and head coach Xabi Alonso ends after two and a half years. The 43-year-old Spaniard has led the Werkself to three trophies. Above all, winning the first German league title in the club's history will always be associated with the name of Xabi Alonso. The former world class player, who won many hearts in Leverkusen as a person, now says farewell to Bayer 04. We look back at a fantastic time with the Basque who fulfilled the biggest dream of all Bayer 04 fans together with an outstanding team.
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A few weeks ago Borussia Dortmund were marooned in mid-table mediocrity in the Bundesliga. Then the Black and Yellows started a run that overcame all comers. And suddenly a Champions League spot was again within reach. BVB will be looking to take the next step towards the big target at the BayArena on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Coach Niko Kovac has almost his full squad available. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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A cracker of a semi-final at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The Bayer 04 U19 team entertain Bayern Munich on Saturday, 10 May (kick-off: 11:00 CEST/stadium opens: 10:00 CEST). In front of a home crowd, the team led by head coach Sergi Runge, who welcomes back an attacking player, is looking to build on the battling performances from the previous knockout games and "perform at the right moment." Tickets are available from the Bayer 04 online shop and the game will also be broadcast live on Sky.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will be the first Bundesliga club to open and operate a football academy in Brazil. The "Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo," led by Bayer 04 club legend Paulo Sérgio, will be established on the Bayer Brazil campus in São Paulo and accommodate up to 300 children and youth ages 5 to 15.
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