Wins against Mainz, Nice and Augsburg – the season has taken off for Bayer 04 after three league draws the start of the campaign. Going into the game on the back of those results, the Werkself are looking to overcome the second Europa League hurdle on Thursday night, 29 October (kick-off: 21.00 CET/live on DAZN, RTL Nitro and Werks11 Radio at bayer04.de). The fourth match in twelve days awaits in Prague. “Our clear aim is to be in Europe every season – and everybody is aware that involves double-fixture weeks,” said Julian Baumgartlinger at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday evening. “We all want to play as much as possible.”
The Werkself players Santiago Arias (broken leg), Paulinho (rehab after torn cruciate, Mitchell Weiser (not registered) did not travel to the Czech Republic nor did Charles Aránguiz and Patrik Schick. The latter is back in full training, “but not ready for the squad,” said Bosz. Lars Bender is also sidelined after suffering problems with his neck following a challenge in the Augsburg match and also absent is Exequiel Palacios. The Argentinian is ill but he had a negative test for coronavirus on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Not just because of the players missing– Lars Bender and Palacios started against Augsburg – there will be a different line-up for Leverkusen on Thursday night. “We currently only have two days break between games,” Bosz reported. “We’ve got to rotate. We’ll do that tomorrow – and more than in just one position.”
The top Czech team come from an almost four-week break in fixtures – with the exception of the 3-1 defeat in the Europa League match at Hapoel Be’er Sheva last week. The team from the Czech capital demonstrated their quality in the Champions League last term. “Slavia work together as a unit, are very compact and will definitely ask questions,” said the Austria international who is looking to continue the positive trend with the Werkself: “It’s just great fun to celebrate goals together. We want to have that feeling against (Slavia) Prague.”
Match information:
Broadcasters: DAZN, RTL Nitro and Werks11 Radio
Referee: William Collum (Scotland)
Bayer 04 have fond memories of their encounters with Heidenheim, including a resounding 6-0 win in the reverse fixture. Kasper Hjulmand’s side would very much like to produce a similarly clinical display as they now head to the Voith-Arena for Matchday 27 on Saturday (15:30 CET). But they come up against a team fighting for their Bundesliga lives at the bottom of the table, 10 points adrift of safety with time running out. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action this weekend. Following their elimination in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, the Werkself are away to FC Heidenheim 1846 on Saturday, 21 March (kick-off: 15:30 CET) on Bundesliga matchday 27. Ahead of the clash in the eastern Swabian Alps, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the importance of the fixture and the chances of qualifying for the Champions League next term.
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A quick look at the table shows the situation at FC Heidenheim is serious. The Bundesliga bottom club are already ten points behind the play-off spot with their backs to the wall in sporting terms. With eight games left to play, avoiding relegation appears to be a mission impossible. Nevertheless, they are far from flying the white flag at the Schlossberg ahead of the clash with the Werkself this Saturday, 21 March (kick-off: 15:30 CET). The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without the two strikers in the immediate future. Caroline Kehrer suffered a torn ligament in her right knee and Amy Wrigge tore her cruciate ligament.
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