The well-earned point in the Europa League away game at Real Betis (1-1) was followed by last Sunday’s 2-2 draw at FC Köln, which for Gerardo Seoane "felt like a defeat. The team was obviously disappointed and frustrated," added the 42-year-old. But they've shown before, as after the 5-1 defeat against Bayern Munich, "that they can quickly recover and are ready to carry on learning."
The Swiss boss is in good spirits going into the knockout encounter with Karlsruher SC, who are currently eighth in Bundesliga 2. "We want to go through to the next round, have the right attitude on the pitch, show a response and keep on developing," said Seoane at the press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
The stats are in favour of the Black and Reds: Amongst the teams who Bayer 04 have played at least ten times since the Bundesliga was founded, the number of defeats is only better against FC Augsburg (0%) than it is against KSC (14%). The only previous cup clash with the team from South Germany in August 2017 saw the Werkself go through with a 3-0 victory after extra time. Back then, Dominik Kohr, Joel Pohjanpalo and Leon Bailey scored in the pouring rain at the Wildparkstadion.
At that time still in the third division, Karlsruhe developed into a solid second division side last season – above all thanks to head coach and former KSC player Christian Eichner. "They have picked up important away wins. They have a good mix of experienced and young players with good physiques," reported Seoane, who has taken a close look at the opponents with his fellow coaches. “They definitely have weapons, for example impressive set-pieces. But if we produce a good performance then we have a chance of going through to the next round."
Bayer 04 were hit by two setbacks yesterday: Karim Bellarabi suffered a muscle injury in his thigh in Cologne and Patrik Schick a torn ligament in his ankle. The two forwards will probably only be available again after the international break in the middle of November.
Lucas Alario could now get more time on the pitch up front. The Argentina international scored 11 goals in the last Bundesliga campaign. After his start in Seville last week, the 29-year-old has complained of slight muscle problems that meant he was only able to complete parts of full training on Tuesday. "I'm waiting for the feedback from the doctors and physios and then I'll consider the risks. There are still four games to go to the international break and we will always need Lucas given that Schick is ruled out," explained Seoane.
U19 striker Iker Bravo could be in the senior squad for the first time against Karlsruhe. "The idea is in the room," said Seoane who welcomed the Spaniard to the training ground on Tuesday.
The 16-year-old Bravo joined Leverkusen in the summer from the world-renowned La Masia academy at Barcelona. Last weekend, the U19 player netted a brace in the 3-1 win in the U19 Bundesliga match against Fortuna Düsseldorf. That included a notable goal scored an impressive goal scored with an overhead kick.
Match information:
Broadcasters: Sky and Werkself Radio
Referee: Tobias Welz (Wiesbaden)
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
Show more
On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
Show more
After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
Show more
When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
Show more
