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.
"unflappable " visitors from lombardy
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."
Palacios: Want to win for the lads and the fans
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."
