Following the pre-match press conference and final pre-match training session, the Werkself headed south on Thursday afternoon – the ICE 915 train set off at 15.14 CET from the station in Deutz on course for the city of tonight's opponents and the squad then made their way to the team hotel. On Friday morning, Herrlich and his fellow coaches held a warm-up session at the sports facility on Mercedesstraße. After lunch, a chance to rest and an afternoon snack, the Werkself will set off for the venue at 18.30 CET two hours ahead of the kick-off at an almost completely sold out stadium. Bayer 04 will play in a black strip and the hosts from Stuttgart in their white home kit.
VfB Stuttgart, where the former Bayer 04 general manager Michael Reschketook over as sporting director in the summer, take on the Black and Reds for the 75th time in Germany's top flight on Friday night. The stats are clearly in favour of the Rhinelanders: The Werkself have won 33 times, Stuttgart eleven times less (plus 19 draws). Bayer 04 have won 15 times at Stuttgart. However, VfB have won five of their six home games at the Mercedes Benz Arena this season with only FC Augsburg taking a point in a 0-0 draw. The team coached by Hannes Wolf have only conceded two goals – the best return in the league. Moreover: Over the course of two seasons VfB have only dropped three points in the last 15 home games (12 wins, three draws).
Herrlich and his team need not be disheartened. As previously mentioned, Bayer 04 have beaten VfB Stuttgart 33 times. the Black and Reds have not beaten any other team in the Bundesliga as often. Above all, to other runs favour the visitors from the Rhineland. Including the 4-2 DFB Cup win against Union Berlin, then the Herrlich team are unbeaten in ten games – a longer run than any other team in the Bundesliga. And looking at recent meetings with VfB gives the Black and Reds hope: Stuttgart have not beaten the Werkself in 12 games (nine wins, three draws).
Stuttgart and Konstanz are 130 kilometres apart as the crow flies. And although both are in the state of Baden-Württemberg the smaller place has a double meaning. Konstanz also means consistency in English, which the team from the biggest city in the state is missing. VfB have not won two Bundesliga games in succession this season but they have not lost or drawn twice on the bounce either. The recent home win against Borussia Dortmund was followed by a draw at Hannover 96 and a defeat away to Werder Bremen. Will that Stuttgart run continue…let's leave it!
The successful run for the Werkself is, despite the togetherness as a team, also closely linked to Kevin Volland. The 25-year-old has been in impressive form for weeks now. Thanks to his fifth goal in the last six league games (plus one assist) he has moved up to third place in the top goal scorers list and is currently the most effective German player in the Bundesliga. In addition, he has also scored the crucial goal in five 1-0 wins – the most in the league. Carry on Kevin. That also fits in well with the Werkself scoring at least one goal in the last 17 games against VfB (in a total of 43). The Black and Reds have only scored more goals in the Bundesliga against Borussia Mönchengladbach (135) than they have against VfB (128). And another fact. The Werkself have converted at least one chance in all of the last 19 league games – that is by far the longest run.
The road to Stuttgart always represents a return the Bernd Leno: The Werkself number one, born in Bietigheim-Bissingen in Baden-Württemberg, played for VfB from 2003 to 2011 before joining Leverkusen. Since then he has played 213 league games for Bayer 04. And with all the runs mentioned, it is no surprise the 25 year-old also has a small one of his own: He has not been on the losing side in any of the last ten encounters with his former club (seven wins, three draws).
Another tip to finish with. As the match is a Friday game it is not available on Sky. Instead it is on the pay TV station Eurosport. Anybody who wants to watch the Werkself live can do so at the Schwadbud (BayArena, East entrance). The doors open at 19.30 CET. Alternatively, there will be comprehensive coverage at www.bayer04.de and on our social media channels .
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