The Swiss manager sees the as yet unbeaten third division side as a team with "lots of qualities." The 43-year-old ranks both the Elversberg squad and their style of play as impressive: "They try to get forward but also defend very well as a group at the same time."
Like the Werkself, the Saarlander squad has more or less remained intact. "That can have advantages and disadvantages as we know very well ourselves. On the one hand, you're already well drilled and can build on things but, on the other hand, it's obviously easier for the opponent to work you out," said Seoane and he set a clear target for the first competitive match of the new season: "We take this and every competition absolutely seriously. The DFB Cup is something special, we want to aim for the maximum and excite the fans."
The idea is to primarily focus on our own game: "We need determination and aggression to come out on top," said Seoane.
The Werkself players trained intensively up to Wednesday with the workload reduced on Thursday and Friday, "to stay mentally and physically fresh," Seoane explained before adding: "Of course, there is room for improvement here and there but the team and the way they go about things day by day gives us a very positive impression as the coaching staff."
Seoane almost has his whole squad to choose from for the DFB Cup tie. All players are available with the exception of long-standing absentees Florian Wirtz and Amine Adli. Adli is currently in the final phases of rehab training and he has already been able to complete parts of team training.
Seoane: "The pre-season has been satisfactory without incident and with some good friendlies. I have 22 players who have the ability and the quality to be in the starting eleven and I'm looking forward to an exciting season."
IA total of 1,229 Black and Red fans will make the journey to Saarland on Saturday to support the Werkself at the URSAPHARM Arena.
A day later back in Leverkusen, Bayer 04 invite all Black and Red fans to the season launch at the BayArena (car park P3) from 10.30 CEST. Both the Bundesliga Women's team and the Werkself will be presented on the stage. In addition to a number of interviews, including with the chairman of the board Fernando Carro and the sporting managing director Simon Rolfes, there will be a large number of stands offering a varied range of activities for young and old alike.
With sixth place at the end of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign, Bayer 04 ended a season in the top third of the table for the ninth time in a row. While the Werkself were narrowly eliminated in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 by eventual finalists Arsenal, the Black and Reds reached the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal for the third season in succession. As in previous years, you once again have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app up to and including 11 June.
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With 46 points in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga, the Bayer 04 Women’s team once again broke the previous season's club record and ended up in fifth place - 15 wins is also a record. As in previous years, you now have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is open exclusively to Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app by 11 June.
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Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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