Back
5.11.2019Champions League

Atletico lack 'clinical finishing' too

Diego Simeone has predicted his team will face a tough battle against Bayer 04: "I'm expecting a Leverkusen team who will produce their best performance." The coach of the top Spanish club Atletico Madrid fielded questions from German and Spanish members of the media at the pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow's Champions League clash at the BayArena (6 November, kick-off: 21.00 CET).
20191105_PK_Atletico_Madrid_67774.jpg

The 49-year-old Argentinian highlighted the strengths of the Werkself: "They are a team with very good players, they play very attacking and fast football." However, those qualities were not decisive in the first meeting: Alvaro Morata came off the bench to score the only goal of the game on 78 minutes for the Spanish side with a header.

The 27-year-old could well be in the starting line-up with his four goals in the last four games as could central defender Mario Hermoso, who said at the press conference: "We want to play and we’ll treat the match as if it's a final." And moving the pre-match training session from the BayArena to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, due to it being the fourth home match in twelve days, was not a negative factor for the Madrid side. "We've heard we won't be able to train in the stadium tonight. But that doesn't bother us. Our mentality is good," said the 24-year-old summer signing Hermoso, who played for Espanyol last season.

Simeone: Atletico's weak point

Simeone looked at an aspect of the game that has occupied the Werkself for several matches: conversion of chances. "I can explain one situation after another to you as reasons why we haven't scored. But what we are really missing is clinical finishing," declared the Argentinian.

 

Related News

crop_GettyImages-2283951623.jpg
Bayer 04 - 30.06.2026

World Cup blog: Flekken’s Oranje knocked out – Quansah makes World Cup debut

The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico is underway. A total of eight Leverkusen players are taking part in the 23rd World Cup, with 48 teams in the tournament for the first time. Bayer04.de brings you all the latest from Werkself players at the World Cup.

Show more
Onyeka und Culbreath
Youth - 29.06.2026

U19 European Championship in Wales: Culbreath and Onyeka start in opening victory

A goal-fest to kick off the U19 European Championship in Wales: Germany defeated Denmark 4–3 in their first Group A fixture. Both Montrell Culbreath and captain Francis Onyeka were in the starting line-up, with the latter scoring the first goal of the game from the penalty spot on five minutes.

Show more
Emma Owen
Youth - 28.06.2026

From Bayer 04 to FC Utrecht: Chigozie Owen moves to the Eredivisie

Bayer 04 have transferred U19 midfielder Emmanuel Chigozie Owen to FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie.

Show more
BayArena
Bayer 04 - 26.06.2026

New seating at the BayArena amidst refurbishments

Renovation work has been underway at the BayArena for several weeks now as part of the stadium’s routine refurbishment after 17 years. More and more of the new folding seats – which, from next season, will provide significantly greater comfort and make it easier to move between rows – have now been installed. The new high-quality seats have now been fitted throughout the entire east stand, giving the BayArena a new lease of life.

Show more