They completed the final pre-match training session on Monday morning as well as the two highly intense sessions the day before: Robert Andrich and Karim Bellarabi have returned from injury – and are available for the return game against Atalanta. In response to a question about Andrich, Gerardo Seoane explained: "Rob contributes a certain factor. His distinctive ball-winning ability and uncompromising approach, including in the air, is good for our game."
Missing for the second leg are Florian Wirtz (torn cruciate), Jeremie Frimpong (ankle ligament injury), Patrik Schick (thigh), goalkeeper Andrey Lunev (rehab after ankle injury) plus Julian Baumgartlinger, who was not named in the Europa League squad due to numbers.
The situation is clear. Given the defeat in the first leg, the hosts at the BayArena have to win to reach the quarter-finals. "That doesn't change our basic approach. We always go onto the pitch to win the game," declared Seoane. "It's an important match for both teams and both have the ambition to go through to the next round."
The Swiss coach said about the team currently seventh in Serie A: "Atalanta are an unflappable team with high intensity and ball-winning ability," said the 43-year-old boss. "We will need a more consistent performance than in the first leg." And as a unit if possible. Due to the long term absence of Wirtz and Frimpong, everybody in the team and on the staff is aware that "we all have to pull even closer together."
Midfield dynamo Exequiel Palacios was also on the top table at the Media Centre at the BayArena on Wednesday. The Argentina international compared the forthcoming knockout game to a final but also emphasised: "It will be an intense dual against a good opponent. Above all, we have to close off their counter-attacks and be very focused in midfield."
Asked about his injured teammates Wirtz and Frimpong, the 23-year-old midfielder said: "Of course, they are key players in our system. But we also have a lot of other good lads with great quality who can make up for their absence," Palacios concluded: "We will give our all for the two of them but also for our fans at the stadium."
The Werkself are away to FSV Mainz 05 on the final Bundesliga matchday of the 2024/25 season. The game is on Saturday, 17 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). The Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team brings you the latest information on the fixture at the MEWA Arena...
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Show moreBayer 04 lost their final home game of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season 4-2 against Borussia Dortmund. The Werkself started in dominant fashion and eventually went ahead after half an hour through Jeremie Frimpong. But Dortmund turned things around before the break and then hit two more quickfire goals in the second half. Jonas Hofmann got one back late on for the hosts in the penultimate fixture of the campaign and the last home outing for head coach Xabi Alonso and defensive stalwart Jonathan Tah.
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