New captain Charles Aránguiz and his teammates have had about one and a half weeks to prepare. An unusually short length of time to get a team ready for a new campaign. "But the players who were here last season know how we want to play," Peter Bosz explained on Friday afternoon at the first press conference for several months in front of members of the media – although they were subject to strict hygiene regulations.
The illustrious circle of people who have taken in the demanding tactical ideas of the Dutchman includes Lennart Grill. The goalkeeper and former Kaiserslautern player has been training at Leverkusen since the middle of July. That means only Patrik Schick will have to get used to a new way of playing. The central striker joined the Werkself this week from AS Roma – and it seems highly likely that he will be included in the squad for Sunday. Bosz on the Czech Republic international: "He's only trained twice up to now. But what I've seen has been good – so he could play a role."
Schick will be at the BayArena a few days after his arrival. That also applies to 300 spectators who will be able to support the Werkself live for the first time in over six months. "It's a first step. Even though there are only 300 – I'm happy for every single fan," said Bosz. "It's much more fun playing in front of a crowd at a stadium. It's all part of it and it's a huge factor."
The spectators on Sunday will not be able to see Leon Bailey. The Jamaican is still waiting for test results after his time in quarantine in his home country. If they are negative then the 23 year-old will be allowed to travel to Germany. Meanwhile, Paulinho is working on his comeback. The Brazilian suffered a torn cruciate in the week before the DFB Cup final.
As it stands, Bosz will have the rest of his players to choose from on Sunday. Whoever the Dutchman finally chooses for the squad against Eintracht – the target has already been clearly defined: "We will take it seriously. Norderstedt deserve this game but it's one we have to win. The match is also important in respect of getting ready for the new campaign."
Match information:
Broadcasters: Sky and Werks11 Radio (bayer04.de)
Referee: The match officials will be announced on the day of the game
Attendance: 300
Edmond Tapsoba has signed an early extension to his contract with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. With two years left on his current deal, the 27-year-old Burkina Faso international has extended his contract until 30 June 2031. The centre-back joined as a young talent from Portuguese top-flight club Vitoria Guimaraes at the start of 2020.
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A special surprise: during the preview for the 'Fierté Burkinabè' documentary about Edmond Tapsoba, Bayer 04 directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes announced Tapsoba's contract extension until 2031 together with the centre-back. He then spoke to Werkself-TV about his time in Leverkusen so far and future ambitions...
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This evening was deeply moving: At a really special setting, Bayer 04 exclusively presented the specially produced documentary ‘Fierté Burkinabè’ ("Burkinabe Pride") about Edmond Tapsoba on Tuesday. For the preview at the BayArena, the parents of the Werkself player and other close companions travelled all the way from his African homeland Burkina Faso. The 45-minute film shows Tapsoba's extraordinary career from his beginnings in Ouagadougou to Leverkusen as well as the work of his foundation "Fondation Edmond Tapsoba", with representatives from Burkina Faso also present. Fans can watch the documentary free of charge on Werkself TV and YouTube from Wednesday night at 20:00 CEST.
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Bayer 04 have signed left-back Carolin Simon from champions Bayern Munich for the coming season. The 33-year-old former Germany international, who played for Leverkusen from 2013 to 2016, has signed a contract to 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Women have strengthened for the coming season with the signing of Lobke Loone. The 23-year-old Dutch striker joins from Utrecht on a contract until 30 June 2028.
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