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17.10.2016Champions League

'We have to focus on our strengths'

Roger Schmidt hit the nail on the head. “I think it will really get going tomorrow,” said the Werkself coach before adding: “Not much has happened in the group yet.” That can all change on Tuesday night when Bayer 04, third in the Bundesliga last term, entertain last season’s third-placed team from the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur. The match kicks off at 20.45 CET.
© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

The Werkself have a good record at the BayArena. Schmidt’s team have not lost any of the last eight European games at home and the hope is the run continues. “We have to show what we can do on the pitch,” said Jonathan Tah at the press conference ahead of matchday three in the group stage – looking back at the weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.

Spurs will present the Werkself with a tough challenge. Tottenham are the only unbeaten team in England’s top flight and Roger Schmidt travelled to London to watch this week’s opponents secure a convincing 2-0 win at home to league leaders Manchester City. “I saw a great game and a team from London that invested a lot in attack. They are also very solid at the back and they don’t give much away,” said Schmidt.

It remains to be seen whether Lars Bender can recover in time from a bout of flu. “He’s a bit better but not 100 per cent fit. We’ll have to wait and see if he makes it,” said Schmidt. The skipper did take part in the final pre-match training session.

The ticket offices are open today. Category IV (€42, concessions €28) and category II (€60, concessions €44) tickets are available in the Leverkusen section in blocks B1, F6 and F8.

© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

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