Jonathan Tah and Co. face a crowded fixture list over the coming weeks. The opening fixture for the Black and Reds in Europe in the 2021/22 season is against Ferencváros. "There is great anticipation ahead of competing with European teams," said Gerardo Seoane a day before the clash. Leading player Tah, who the head coach said had a good chance of being in the starting eleven, added: "We want to get the best possible result in the game."
In the final pre-match training session on Wednesday morning, Seoane had a full complement of outfield players with the exception of the three long-term absentees through injury Edmond Tapsoba, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Julian Baumgartlinger. "Charly Aránguiz is also 100% available following small problems after the international break," said the Swiss boss.
The Bayer 04 head coach was not only concerned with his own team ahead of the match: In analysing the forthcoming opponents from Hungary, he is mainly focused on their attack: "They have a number of players who can pose a threat," the 42-year-old initially mentioned the former Bundesliga player Robert Mak. In Ryan Mmaee and Tokmac Nguen, Ferencváros also have two fast players with good technique and Myrto Uzuni is ready for anything on the left flank.
"They will want to make the most of their strength in transitional play. Our defenders will face the challenge of standing up to that strength," said Seoane expects a different game from the last outing against Borussia Dortmund: "It is down to us tomorrow to have more possession and to force the opponents back."
The new format will be used in the Europa League from tomorrow (Thursday). The team finishing top in the group will qualify directly for the Round of 16 and thereby avoid an additional round. "We are aware of the format of the competition. Our aim is to compete for top spot. The final positions in the table are irrelevant at the moment."
Seoane and his Werkself team face the priority of making a successful start on the European stage and to extend the winning run against Hungarian teams – in 1994 there were 2-0 and 5-0 victories against Honvéd.
Match information:
Broadcasters: TVNOW and Werkself Radio
Referee: Andris Treimanis (Latvia)
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They had their hands full in the VAR centre in Cologne: eight goals were scored at the MEWA Arena on Saturday afternoon, but only four of them were allowed in the end as the Werkself and 1. FSV Mainz 05 closed the season with a 2-2 draw. It means Bayer 04 end the 2024/25 campaign as runners-up with 69 points, representing the fourth-best season in the club's history. What's more, the Werkself are now unbeaten away from home in two whole Bundesliga seasons, with their last away defeat coming exactly two years ago on Matchday 34 of the 2022/23 season at VfL Bochum. The Black-and-Reds can continue the record run next season - albeit without Alonso and Tah. Read what else the eventful final game for the head coach and the defensive leader had to offer in the Werkself Review.
Show moreWerkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-2 draw at Mainz 05 on the 34th matchday of the Bundesliga 2024/25...
Show moreBayer 04’s final game of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season saw VAR drama and produced a new record for away results with a 2-2 draw in Mainz. The hosts had several goals ruled out before Paul Nebel put them ahead. Patrik Schick’s brace then turned things around in the second half before Jonathan Burkardt’s penalty levelled the game again. It means Leverkusen have now gone 34 away games without defeat in the Bundesliga, which no team has ever done before.
Show moreThe Werkself bring down the curtain on their 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign with a game away at Mainz on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 meeting at the MEWA Arena.
Show moreXabi Alonso is leaving Leverkusen at the end of the season. In his final interview as Werkself coach, he talks about his two-and-a-half years at the helm, the greatest moments of his historic tenure and his appreciation of the connection with the fans and players throughout their remarkable progress together.
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