"We are not taking an Olympian approach to the game at FC Bayern according to the motto 'It’s all about taking part.' We’re going there to get a result," said the 45-year old in determined mood ahead of the clash with the star-studded team of the record champions. "The quality of FC Bayern is beyond dispute. That makes it even more important to believe in our own strengths and try to put them into action as best we can."
Herrlich explained the foundations had been laid in the pre-season. "One of our targets in the past five weeks has been to get the team in top condition in terms of fitness." Following on from that, he referred to the recent impressive performance of his team in the 3-0 DFB Cup win at Karlsruher SC: "On a very heavy pitch, we succeeded in setting the tempo, dominating the game and finally earning the victory over 120 minutes. That shows the attitude of our group is absolutely right."
Although Kevin Kampl, Joel Pohjanpalo, Sven Bender, Julian Brandt and Jonathan Tah have had to ease off in training this week for a number of reasons, Heiko Herrlich is "cautiously optimistic that all of them will be fit and able to play." However, there is a major doubt about Kai Havertz who received a painful blow on the knee in last Friday's Cup match and has been sidelined ever since. Herrlich is also prepared for the absence of the youngster: "We’ll make up for missing players as best we can. There are several options both in terms of personnel and tactics." He will definitely have to make do without Tin Jedvaj (shin) and Lars Bender (rehab) for the trip to Munich .
The match away to FC Bayern is the first Bundesliga fixture for Heiko Herrlich as Bayer 04 head coach. He is happy to remember his first away match in Munich. As a 17-year-old, in a Werkself shirt, he came on as a substitute to replace goalscorer Marek Lesniak in the 1-0 win on 21 October 1989. "Of course, it will be a very pleasant experience to go and win the first match at Bayern Munich," added Herrlich. It would be good if history does repeat itself – this time on the touchline.
The Werkself will have the support of 3,700 fans in Munich.
This evening was deeply moving: At a really special setting, Bayer 04 exclusively presented the specially produced documentary ‘Fierté Burkinabè’ ("Burkinabe Pride") about Edmond Tapsoba on Tuesday. For the preview at the BayArena, the parents of the Werkself player and other close companions travelled all the way from his African homeland Burkina Faso. The 45-minute film shows Tapsoba's extraordinary career from his beginnings in Ouagadougou to Leverkusen as well as the work of his foundation "Fondation Edmond Tapsoba", with representatives from Burkina Faso also present. Fans can watch the documentary free of charge on Werkself TV and YouTube from Wednesday night at 20:00 CEST.
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Bayer 04 have signed left-back Carolin Simon from champions Bayern Munich for the coming season. The 33-year-old former Germany international, who played for Leverkusen from 2013 to 2016, has signed a contract to 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Women have strengthened for the coming season with the signing of Lobke Loone. The 23-year-old Dutch striker joins from Utrecht on a contract until 30 June 2028.
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The Werkself returned from the near one-month break in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga with a convincing victory at home. Roberto Pätzold's side beat SC Freiburg 4-1 on Sunday afternoon, with goals from Katharina Piljic, Estrella Merino Gonzalez, Cornelia Kramer and Carlotta Wamser ensuring a 13th win of the season at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. The Black and Reds, who are now on 40 points, move up to fourth place at least overnight.
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