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

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 - 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
New Chapter, Same Fire: Das neue Heimtrikot der Werkself
Werkself-TV - 01.07.2025

New Chapter, Same Fire: The new Werkself home jersey

The Werkself home jersey for the 2025/ 26 season is here! 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 our historical roots. The new home jersey is available now from the Bayer 04 shops and the online shop.

Show more
New Balance präsentiert das neue Bayer 04-Heimtrikot für die Saison 2025/26
Werkself-TV - 01.07.2025

New Balance presents the new Bayer 04 2025/26 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.

Show more