The approach is clear as coach Peter Bosz explained to the members of the media at the pre-match press conference: "We need the points and we want to be in the competition after the winter break so we have to win," said the 55-year-old, who is well aware of the minimal chance of going through to the Champions League knockout stages, "but we will keep trying as long as the chance is there."
The Werkself have no points after three games and, with a goal difference of one for and six against, are in fourth place but they did perform well in the match in the Spanish capital. "We looked good there, worked hard and were very compact," said Bayer 04 defender Sven Bender at the press conference. "We saw that we can cause problems for Madrid with the way we play. We have the means to win a game like that against Atletico."
As in the last Bundesliga game against Borussia Mönchengladbach (1-2), coach Bosz has a full squad to choose from with the exception of the injured Daley Sinkgraven and skipper Lars Bender. Charles Aránguiz, who came on in the second half against Mönchengladbach, is fit again and is ready to play against Atletico who are currently second behind Juventus on seven points. "Everybody knows he's a good and important player for us. It will do us good to have him back," said Bosz whose anticipation ahead of the game is as great as his player Sven Bender feels.
The Werkself number five declared: "It's the Champions League. As a young boy, you dream about games like this. In these games you have to be there, give everything and try to go the extra mile. But you can enjoy it as well. If everything goes right then we have a chance of winning. And that's what we want to do!"
Anyone who wants to get into the mood before kick-off should make sure they catch the pre-match show with Stefan Kießling and Patrick Helmes. The two legendary strikers will look back at past highlights in the Champions League and share their predictions for the clash with Atletico. The show kicks off at 19.40 CET and can be seen on YouTube, Facebook and Bayer 04 TV.
Match information:
Attendance: Bayer 04 are expecting a sell-out in the home areas at the BayArena.
Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia)
Live TV broadcaster: DAZN
Matchday hashtag: #B04Atleti
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career working as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personal Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
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