Roger Schmidt has a full squad to choose from with the exception of the suspended Wendell, currently recovering from a cold, Stefan Kießling, Danny da Costa and the Olympic duo Lars Bender and Julian Brandt. Danny da Costa, who underwent an operation to remove a pin from his shin at the end of July, returned to full training this week and Stefan Kießling is also making progress. Schmidt: “Both have only been able to join in with training on a non-contact basis. We hope the two of them continue to improve.”
Roger Schmidt will probably give the Olympic final a miss as it is being played late on Saturday night. Germany play Brazil at the Maracana on Saturday. Schmidt: “We all hope Julian and Lars have a great final. Rio 2016 has been perfect from a Bayer 04 point of view!”
“We are highly motivated for this match”
The coach sees the competition for places in the team as absolutely positive in terms of improving performance. “No player just wants to be slotted in. Everybody wants to earn a start through good performances and that does us good,” said the coach. It goes without saying the priority for the first competitive of the season is to go through to the next round on the back of a good display. “We are all highly motivated for this match.”
The Werkself will have the backing of 815 Leverkusen fans in Pirmasens. Tickets are available at the ground on Sunday. The Schwadbud in the East Stand at the BayArena will open its doors two hours before kick-off for fans unable to make the journey south.
