Back
14.03.2017Champions League

Korkut: 'Use every minute tomorrow'

Tyfun Korkut knows what it's like to win at the Calderon stadium. In 2003, when he was a playmaker for the Real Sociedad alongside Xabi Alonzo and Javi de Pedro in midfield, he put his team ahead straight after the restart in a 2-1 victory at the Atletico Madrid cauldron. "I know exactly what the atmosphere's like," said the 42-year-old at the press conference ahead of his return – this time as coach: "And my players also know what to expect tomorrow."
© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

Focused and yet relaxed; that was how Korkut looked on the day before his Champions League debut in the dugout. No sign of excitement. "I experienced a lot as a player and still have good memories of the stadium," he explained in fluent Spanish with the local journalist hanging on his every word – also as Korkut talked about the position after the 4-2 defeat for the Werkself in the first leg: "We are the underdogs but we want to use every minute to turn it round."

Personnel position at Bayer 04

The new head coach will be missing several regular players. In addition to Hakan Calhanoglu (CAS ban) and suspended Benjamin Henrichs, the injured Lars Bender (ankle), Ömer Toprak (knee), Jonathan Tah (groin) and Stefan Kießling (hip) are all ruled out. In addition, the youngster Kai Havertz has remained at home as he has important exams ahead of his A-levels at the Landrat Lucas Grammar School.

Korkut is still looking for a positive result in spite of all the absentees: "We are Bayer 04 and always have a strong team. I have full confidence in every individual player." The new Werkself head coach is well aware that it won't be easy to score goals against the Atlético defence and also that it needs at least three goals on Wednesday to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals. "But we want to do all we can to achieve that and that's how we'll approach the game. And then we'll see how the game turns out."

Korkut's second clash with Simeone

He faced his opposite number Diego Simeone at the Estadio Vicente Calderon as a player in 2004. At that time, Simeone was playing for the Rojiblancos and Korkut for Espanyol. In the 2-0 win for Atlético back then, a fresh-faced Fernando Torres (El Nino) scored both goals. It remains to be seen whether he will start for Simeone on Wednesday. In a league match against La Corunna (1-1) a week and a half ago he was knocked unconscious and swallowed his tongue. This week Torres returned to full training. Filipe Luis and stalwart Gabi are both sidelined after picking up a third yellow card in the first leg.

© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

Related News

Scheck-Übergabe
Bayer 04 - 16.05.2026

BarmeniaGothaer & Bayer 04 present Tapsoba with cheque from shirt sales

Bayer 04 and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer have shown great commitment to the community as the sale of custom-designed T-shirts for charity in the Fanwelt as part of the “BarmeniaGothaer Brings Joy campaign raised a good €5,000. Bayer 04 matched this sum with an equal contribution. As a result, a total of €10,000 was presented to Edmond Tapsoba for his foundation ahead of the home match against Hamburg. The foundation supports people facing challenging daily circumstances in his home country of Burkina Faso.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #B04HSV
Bundesliga - 16.05.2026

Matchday news #B04HSV: Finally Red in last chance for Champions League qualification

Bayer 04 host Hamburg at the BayArena for the first time since September 2017 on the final day of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season on Saturday (15:30 CEST). HSV are safe in their first campaign back in the top flight after back-to-back wins, but Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 19 games against promoted teams as they go for the victory they need to have a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. There’s also heavy discounts on food and drinks at the BayArena. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 fixture in our matchday news.

Show more
Shen Menglu und Vanessa Haim
Women - 16.05.2026

Haim and Menglu to leave Bayer 04 Women

As well as previously confirmed departures, Bayer 04 Women will also say goodbye to Vanessa Haim and Shen Menglu before Sunday’s final game of the season at home to Werder Bremen as the pair leave Leverkusen upon the expiration of their contracts.

Show more
Die PK vor dem letzten Bundesliga-Spiel der Saison | 34. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 15.05.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #B04HSV: 'It's not over yet'

The last competitive match of the 2025/26 season takes place at the BayArena on Saturday 16 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), where Hamburger SV are the visitors. At the pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand discussed the mindset and the approach for the crucial final game against HSV, among other topics.

Show more