Back
15.09.2021Europa League

Seoane ahead of #B04FTC: Take offensive quartet out of the game

Bayer 04 face a team from Hungary for the first time since 1994. Ferencváros, the opponents on Thursday, 16 September (kick-off: 18.45 CEST/stadium opens: 16.45 CEST), are the current champions as well as record title winners. Head coach Gerardo Seoane is looking for his team to make a successful start to the new Europa League campaign at the BayArena. The main challenge is to work against one of the strengths of the team from Budapest as the Werkself head coach made clear at the pre-match press conference.

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.

Bundesliga experience and high Tempo

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.

crop_20210915_NB_B04_PK_EL_B04_gegen_Ferencvaros_Budapest_20001.jpg

"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."

"WE are aware of the format"

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)

)

Related News

Titelbild Gegnercheck Showdown 1
eSports - 15.10.2025

#B04eSports: These are the opponents in the online preliminary round of the first showdown

Here we go! The new season of the VBL Club Championship by WOW starts on Thursday, 16 October. The games can be seen live on the Bayer 04 app and on the club Twitch channel. Bayer04.de presents an overview of the first opponents for the Leverkusen eSports team in the new season.

Show more
Fans beim Training
Bayer 04 - 14.10.2025

Lots going on at the BayArena: Arthur and Kögel at kids press conference - Meet & greet with three U19 players

The autumn holidays attracted a host of Bayer 04 fans to the BayArena on Tuesday, 14 October. An open training session for the Werkself in the morning ended with the players taking time out for selfies and autograph requests from the 160 or so fans in attendance. During a children's press conference organised by Barmenia Gothaer, Werkself player Arthur and Kristin Kögel from the Bayer 04 Women's team fielded questions posed by the youngsters. Meanwhile, a trio of young players from the Leverkusen U19 squad put a smile on everyone's faces at a meet & greet event. And fans enjoyed a range of exciting activities at the Fanwelt.

Show more
Begegnungslogo
Bundesliga - 14.10.2025

Tickets for the home game against Heidenheim

The Werkself host 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 at the BayArena on matchday 10 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The match is on 8 November at 15:30 CET and is a Members matchday. Information on ticket sales.

Show more
Borussia Dortmund
Bundesliga - 14.10.2025

Tickets for the home game against Borussia Dortmund

The Werkself host Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena on matchday 12 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The match is on Saturday, 29 November, at 18:30 CET. Information on ticket sales.

Show more
Frauen setzen Siegesserie in Hoffenheim fort | 6. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 12.10.2025

Women: TV-highlights of 2-0 win at TSG Hoffenheim

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-0 win at TSG Hoffenheim on the 6th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more