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29.09.2021Europa League

Seoane ahead of Celtic clash: We’ve waited long enough

Thursday’s Europa League game will be the first time in well over 18 months that the Werkself have played a European game in front of a full house due to the coronavirus pandemic. The last of those was the 3-1 win away at Rangers in March 2020. Fitting, then, that it’s at their Glasgow rivals Celtic that Bayer 04 get to experience that feeling again in front of 55,000. Head coach Gerardo Seoane and former Celtic man Jeremie Frimpong spoke on the eve of the fixture about what they’re expecting in Scotland.

The first European away game of the season has taken Leverkusen to ‘Paradise’. That’s how the home fans refer to Celtic Park. The Werkself players got a first taste of it on Wednesday afternoon ahead of their final training session, but there’s one player in black and red who already knows his way around.

Frimpong wore the Hoops of Celtic from 2019 until he joined Leverkusen in January 2021. “It’s really great to be back. When we were driving through the streets to the stadium and I looked at everything, I was thinking back to my time here in Glasgow,” the right-back said.

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The Netherlands U21 international was receiving messages from old teammates just moments after the draw was made for the Europa League group stage. “And I saw a few Celtic staff again just before training. I enjoyed that. But when the whistle goes for kick-off tomorrow, the only job is winning against Celtic,” Frimpong added.

Andrich out with cold

Coach Seoane is also looking forward to the “amazing atmosphere, great fans and a game full of attacking action. Finally playing in front of so many spectators again, we and our fans have had to do without that for so long.” But the Swiss tactician also knows that his team face a tough task. “Celtic will want to make life difficult for us. But we’re prepared for that,“ the 42-year-old stated.

Among the players who haven’t travelled to Scotland is Robert Andrich, who’s remained at home with a cold. Emrehan Gedikli and Exequiel Palacios have also stayed behind alongside long-term absentees Julian Baumgartlinger, Edmond Tapsoba and Timothy Fosu-Mensah. “Everyone here has a chance to play tomorrow,” Seoane said not wanting to reveal who could feature in his side at Celtic Park.

Further info on the match:
Referee: Marco di Bello (Italy)
Attendance: 55,000 (sold out)

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