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.
Former Bundesliga and Germany keeper Manfred Manglitz, who was promoted to the Oberliga West with Bayer 04 in 1962, passed away on Monday at the age of 86.
Show more
The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico is underway. A total of eight Leverkusen players are taking part in the 23rd World Cup, with 48 teams in the tournament for the first time. Bayer04.de brings you all the latest from Werkself players at the World Cup.
Show more
Following the summer break of around two months, the Bayer 04 first team squad took to the training pitches at the BayArena for the first time on Tuesday – and the players were in high spirits. Alongside the newly formed coaching team led by head coach Carles Martínez, new signing Afonso Moreira also completed his first session with the squad. In front of several hundred Bayer 04 fans at the open session, numerous Werkself players worked up a good sweat. The Leverkusen players who took part in the World Cup will join pre-season training at a later date.
Show more
In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
Show more
