Back
4.02.2019DFB-Pokal

‘It will be a completely different game to the Bayern match'

Three days after the win against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, the Werkself are away to second division fourth-placed FC Heidenheim in the DFB Cup Round of 16 on Tuesday (18.30 CET, live text commentary and web radio in German at bayer04.de). Bayer 04 head coach Peter Bosz faced questions from journalists at the media centre in the BayArena on Monday morning. The 55-year-old shared his views on…

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

…player availability: "We don't know yet. Today is just the second day after the match – and sometimes you only know how the game has affected players after the second day. Some are definitely sidelined – Kai Havertz (hip injury, Ed.), Lars Bender is out as are the other long-term injuries – Panos Retsos and Joel Pohjanpalo.

…Lars Bender's injury: "I can't say how long he'll be out for. He has a torn thigh muscle and there are various possibilities of how serious that is."

…the after-effects of the 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich: "I think the win against Bayern is primarily very good for our confidence. We've beaten a top team. That shows we can play our game with our players. But we also know that the next game in football is always the most important one – we have to reproduce that confidence in every game. What's done is done – now it's down to us to win the tough cup tie at Heidenheim."

…increased euphoria: "I've been in football for a long time. It can all change very quickly – for example, when you don't play well in a cup game and end up with a bad result. We are happy we've shown we can win against a team like Bayern Munich. But that's done and dusted. And therefore I know the players are not euphoric. Now we have to look forwards again. We clearly know where we want to go and how we want to get there. And we're working very hard and intensively on that."

…the DFB Cup tie against FC Heidenheim: "It will be a completely different game to the Bayern match. But that doesn't mean it will be any easier. Cup games are always special. A special match where you can go through or get knocked out in one game. And the same will be true tomorrow."

…the opponents: "They might 'only' be a second division side they're doing well and are near the top of the table. We watched the game against Kiel (2-2, Ed.) and we were able to see that it won't be easy. They have a clear and direct style of play. In Frank Schmidt they have a coach who's been there for a long time – that's also very special in modern football. And, I have to say, he's doing a very good job."

…the intention of rotating against Heidenheim: "That's definitely a possibility. But the Cup tie is very important to us – we want to field a team we think can win the game."

…positives and negatives about his team: What I do like is the players are really keen. That's always important when you want something – you need to be ready and that's there. But there are still a lot of things we have to work on. Above all, that we don't lose possession so easily and that's still happening too often. Because if we lose the ball then we have to fight to get it back straightaway. And if you lose the ball more often than you have to fight to get it back more often. That costs strength because the games recently have been very intense. We need to improve in that respect."

…his recipe for success, above all on working with younger players: "Of course, we have a lot of individual discussions. But often we just leave the players alone. Because if they do well and then you have a word with them then perhaps they don't do it so well afterwards (he laughs). It's all about feeling. But the most important thing really is readiness: If the players really want to learn and also accept the style of play then everything happens quicker. And as I said: Since the first day I've been here that readiness has been evident and that helps enormously. And it's also clear: Quality is also important at the end of the day. And our players have that quality."

Bewerb_Schwadbud_HomepageMediumRectangle_300x250px_Heidenheimvs.jpg

Related News

Vanessa Haim
Women - 03.10.2024

Women's new signing Haim: 'Very harmonious and familial'

Vanessa Haim became Bayer 04 Women's sixth summer signing shortly before the start of the training camp in Poland. Around two months after her arrival in Leverkusen, the 27-year-old tells bayer04.de about her move under the Cross and her former job as a teacher.

Show more
DFB
Bayer 04 - 03.10.2024

Internationals: Werkself trio named in Germany squad again

The second international break of the 2024/25 season is round the corner. After the Bundesliga clash against Holstein Kiel this Saturday, 5 October (kick-off 15:30 CEST), several Bayer 04 players will be playing in the next set of UEFA Nations League fixtures, among others. An overview.

Show more
Frauennotruf Leverkusen
Women - 02.10.2024

Bayer 04 donates €2,500 to Leverkusen Women's Helpline

The 1,193 spectators who attended the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion for the Werkself's 2-2 draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 2 of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga also supported a good cause. As part of the DFB's 'Together: Good Game' action day on the theme of sustainability, Bayer 04 donated two euros from every ticket sold to the Leverkusen Women's Helpline.

Show more
crop_241001_JS4_6810.jpg
Champions League - 02.10.2024

Werkself Review #B04Milan: 'Fans carried us to the end'

In the first competitive meeting between Bayer 04 and AC Milan, one goal was enough to earn the Black-and-Reds another three points in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League. The players and staff were positive in their assessment of the narrow victory at home on Matchday 2, while there was also praise for the fans for their part. The Werkself Review.

Show more