Back
17.12.2019Bundesliga

'There has to be a reaction'

Following Saturday’s derby defeat in Cologne, Peter Bosz is expecting a significant improvement in performance from his team tomorrow night in the final home game of the first half of the season against Hertha Berlin (kick-off: 18.30 CET, live on Werks11 Radio and live text commentary at bayer04.de). The 56-year-old looked forward to the game at the pre-match press conference.

"The players were very self-critical after the defeat. We know we didn't play well. We've analysed the game, identified the mistakes and worked on what we need to do better next time. There has to be a reaction! But those are just words – we have to perform on the pitch tomorrow," said the head coach.

'Angry and disappointed'

After the match at FC Köln and ahead of the encounter with the Old Lady, the dismissals of Aleksandar Dragovic (two yellows) and Leon Bailey (a straight red) were the subject of much discussion amongst the players: "It was just daft of us – above all that Leon has been sent off twice within such a short space of time. Anybody who knows him will also know he's normally not like that. He’s not the type to just hit an opponent," said Bosz about the 22-year-old who has been suspended for three league games and also fined €20,000. "We were angry and disappointed," Bosz made clear, "he has to learn from his mistakes. With the benefit of hindsight, we have to help the player." Dragovic and Bailey are both unavailable for the game against Hertha as are the injured Mitchell Weiser and Joel Pohjanpalo.

'We can't afford to let our heads drop'

The approach to the final home game of the year is clear: "We want to take all three points at home to Hertha. We can't afford to let our heads drop because of a bad game at FC Köln. We've played some good football in the first half of the season and, at times, won points where others might not have expected it. On the other hand, there were also games I wasn't happy with where we should have won. I'm not completely satisfied," said the Dutchman an assessment of the season to date. That makes it even more important to end the year with two wins.

And the Werkself are looking to start with a victory against the club from the capital tomorrow. How Hertha will line-up at the BayArena under new coach Jürgen Klinsmann, who won the World Cup in 1990 along with Rudi Völler, is not yet clear to the Werkself coach. "A new coach often works on the system or rotates a lot. Klinsmann has tried different things." Therefore, it's particularly important to focus on our own game. In the second packed week of fixtures in succession, it will be important to manage the work rate. "The second day after a game is hardest for the players. In our experience, it's much better 24 hours later. We'll be able to give our all tomorrow."

sky_1910_gratis_300x250.jpg

Related News

Dustin Buck, Ken Izekor und Montrell Culbreath
Bayer 04 - 15.07.2025

Bayer 04 Brazil Tour – The youth players at the training camp

The Werkself training camp officially began early on Tuesday morning with the landing in Rio de Janeiro. Ahead of the first session in the afternoon local time, bayer04.de profiles the talented youngsters from the youth teams who have travelled to Brazil.

Show more
Frühbucherphase 2025/26
Bayer 04 - 15.07.2025

Update on early booker phase for 2025/26 Bundesliga home games

Preparations for the 2025/26 season are in full swing with the new head coach Erik ten Hag working for the start of the season in the middle of August. After the timings for the first matchdays in the forthcoming Bundesliga season were confirmed a few days ago, we now provide information on the first sale phase for match tickets. The early booker phase, exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members, brings some changes. Read on for further information.

Show more
SG Sonnenhof Großaspach gegen Bayer 04
DFB-Pokal - 15.07.2025

Tickets for the DFB Pokal tie at Sonnenhof Großaspach

Bayer 04 are away to SG Sonnenhof Großaspach in the first round of the 2025/26 DFB Pokal. The match is on Friday, 15 August (kick-off: 18:00 CEST) at the WIRmachenDRUCK Arena. Read on for the latest ticket information.

Show more
BayArena
Bayer 04 - 14.07.2025

Parent Company Bayer partnering for Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Preseason Tour to Brazil

Bayer 04 Leverkusen will partner closely with parent-company Bayer during its preseason tour to Brazil from July 14 to 24 this month. The backing from Bayer of the “Bayer 04 Brasil Tour” has been crucial in organizing the groundbreaking training camp for ten days, plus a host of local activities and community events capped by the match against Flamengo's U20 team on July 18 at Estádio da Gávea.

Show more
ten Hag
Bayer 04 - 14.07.2025

Timetable for training camp in Rio de Janeiro

The bags are packed and Bayer 04 will set off for Brazil in a few hours. Over the next ten days, the team led by head coach Erik ten Hag will be the first Bundesliga side to hold a training camp in the country of the five-time World Cup winners. The Werkself will train at Flamengo’s Campus Ninho do Urubu under the motto ‘Esquenta!’ (warm up) and play a friendly against the U20 team of the world-famous club. Read on for training camp timetable.

Show more