The Spanish journalists in the compact media room at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, painted in the club colours of green and white, had an easy ride: Both Seoane and Ecuadorian new signing Hincapie answered the questions from the Spaniards in their own language. The head coach explained: "My parents are Spanish and we always spoke Spanish at home. We usually used to come here on holiday. Part of my family still lives here today and I also have a Spanish passport."
In his home away from home, Seoane with the Werkself faces Real Betis who are currently eighth in La Liga. "They're going through a good phase. We definitely can't deviate from our game plan and we need a controlled performance," said Seoane. The Andalusians are just two points behind second-placed Real Madrid in the league. The experience of the hosts is not to be denied as the Swiss boss explained: "They are a strong group, play with determination – but they also have high individual quality." And with Manuel Pellegrini, a coach who, according to Seoane, "has made his mark wherever he has worked. He is very intelligent and experienced. A great personality."
In addition to Julian Baumgartlinger, Charles Aránguiz with a calf injury is another central midfield player who is ruled out by injury for the match in Seville. Seoane: "Of course, it's sad because Charly is very important to us." But the 42-year-old talked about the strength of other candidates for this position in the squad: "We are happy that Robert Andrich is available again after suspension in the Bundesliga. He's a very important player with his strength in the tackle."
Exequiel Palacios has not had much time on the training ground since his cold, Nadiem Amiri has slight thigh problems after picking up a knock in the game against Bayern Munich.
Piero Hincapie, who joined Bayer 04 from his home country of Ecuador in the summer, has played in the previous two Europa League group matches. The 19-year-old has said he has settled down well in his new home of Germany – also due to the many South American, Spanish or Portuguese speaking teammates. "Charly (Charles Aránguiz, ed.) and Co. talk to me a lot and that has made it very easy for me to settle in," said the versatile defender who was last in action for Ecuador in the South American World Cup qualifiers. "I feel 100% fit in spite of all the travelling." That includes the away match in the south of Spain.
Whether it's sport or his private live: Captain Edmond Tapsoba tells us his top three personal favourites in twelve categories in edition #56 of the Werkself Magazine. The defender had to answer as quickly as he reacts on the pitch. 'On the Podium' with Edmond Tapsoba!
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“Year after year, this is an incredibly valuable gathering, both in terms of the content covered and the opportunity for mutual discussion,” stressed Bayer 04 goalkeeping coach David Thiel in his welcoming address at this year’s goalkeeping coaches’ meeting. This was the third time in four seasons that the event had been held at the BayArena. Organised by the German Football Association (DFB), the meeting brought together goalkeeping coaches from the Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2 and the 3rd division from the west region. For the first time this year, goalkeeping coaches from the youth performance centres (NLZ) were also present. Bayer 04 fitness coach Markus Müller provided fascinating insights into the specific fitness training carried out with the Werkself’s goalkeepers.
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A floodlit derby, two further night games and a top-of-the-table clash on a Saturday afternoon: The German Football Association (DFB) has confirmed the exact dates for four further matchdays in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. This means all fixtures for the Bayer 04 women’s team up to the end of the year, as well as the first two in 2027, are now confirmed.
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It was another incredibly close call in the end: The second showdown in the 2026/27 VBL Club Championship saw the #B04eSports team once again narrowly miss out on a place in the top 16 of the preliminary round – and with it, a spot in the in-person knockout stage. It was a bitter blow: Marc and Sean Landwehr again fell just short, despite being level on points with their rivals. As was the case last month, their weaker record across the twelve individual matches in the six preliminary round fixtures proved decisive.
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