'We have to focus on ourselves'

Mathematically, there are many ways to achieve the objective of the Werkself returning to the European stage after an absence of one season. For example, a 5-0 victory over Hannover 96 would make the match in Sinsheim between fourth-placed Hoffenheim (52 points/three goal better goal difference than Bayer 04) and third-placed Borussia Dortmund (53/+6) irrelevant. However, Heiko Herrlich does not want to be distracted. "Tomorrow there are numerous permutations and possible situations and we can't be prepared for each individual one," said the Bayer 04 head coach at the pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of the Hannover game. The boss  and his team  will approach tomorrow's game like any other – with the scores in the other matches played at the same time displayed on the screens in front of a sell-out crowd at the BayArena as usual. "There's no reason to change things.  We want to see that we can perform to 100 per cent of our ability and win our game. We have to focus on ourselves as nothing else is in our hands," added Herrlich.

Whichever position Bayer 04 are in at the end of the season, the 46-year-old looks back at a thoroughly "successful" first year as a coach at Leverkusen: "We went out  to Bayern Munich in the cup semi-finals, are in fifth place ahead of the final matchday of the season and are in with a small chance of ending up in the top four." In many respects that was not a given. "At the start of the season we said to players like Bernd Leno, Kevin Volland and Julian Brandt that they had to make amends after last season and want to give their all to get Bayer 04 back on track. I think their performances this season underline that," explained Herrlich who in the same breath thanked his team and his players for their commitment and cooperation. "They put that into action. If we can adopt our usual approach tomorrow and I'm firmly convinced we can win the game against Hannover," said the coach.

only Pohjanpalo And Volland sidelined

In terms of usual approach, there were words of praise for Stefan Kießling on Friday afternoon with the striker set to make his final appearance as a player for Bayer 04 after 12 years at the club. "Throughout the whole season he has acted as a team player and absolute servant to the group – and that's exactly the same way he's approaching the last game. Tomorrow he believes it is more important the team is successful and that the club achieve their objectives rather than him playing. He's taking a backseat," said Herrlich who didn't want to guarantee playing time due to changes enforced through injury and other circumstances. Nevertheless, there is an absolute desire to give the Werkself number 11 the opportunity to make his 403rd appearance in the Bundesliga. "We all hope he can play and get time on the pitch – that goes for us too. And, of course, it would be best of all if he could score another goal before ending his career."

With Lars and Sven Bender plus Jonathan Tah returning to full training this week, Herrlich almost has a full squad to choose from for the Hannover 96 game. Only Kevin Volland (one match ban) and Joel  Pohjanpalo (rehab training after ankle injury) are sidelined for the final match of the season for the Werkself.