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
A first win in the preseason: In the last friendly before the start of a two-week break in training, the Bayer 04 Women beat top-flight Dutch side Ajax 1-0. In the match played over three 30-minute thirds Vanessa Fudalla scored the goal for the Werkself. In the previous two friendlies this summer, the team led by head coach Roberto Pätzold lost 2-0 two Bundesliga rivals TSG Hoffenheim and drew 1-1 with the Dutch team PEC Zwolle.
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The current Werkself player Arthur, global star Vinícius Júnior and Brazil legend Zico – they all played for the youth teams at CR Flamengo. The U20 team at the big club from Rio de Janeiro is one of the best academies in Brazil and has produced a lot of stars as well as securing national and international trophies over the past few years. Ahead of the friendly against the Werkself today, Friday 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) bayer04.de profiles the highly successful youth team.
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Alejo Sarco has joined the Werkself training camp in Brazil. The 19-year-old striker, signed from Argentinian club Vélez Sarsfield in January, talks to bayer04.de about his first six months in Germany, help from Exequiel Palacios and his targets up to the end of the year.
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The friendly against the CR Flamengo U20 team on Friday, 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) represents the sporting highlight of the current Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Ahead of the clash at the Estádio da Gávea against the highly successful youth team, there was a media event with the two Bayer 04 managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes plus head coach Erik ten Hag. The trio talked about the forthcoming opponents, first impressions of Brazil and the reasons for holding the training camp in the land of the five-time World Cup winners. Here are the key statements.
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