As is usual for European games, an interpreter was at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday evening to translate the questions and answers from the participants. After the questions from the German journalists were answered, the members of the media from France had the chance to get statements from the Werkself. Both Jonathan Tah, whose father comes from the Ivory Coast, and Peter Bosz responded in French. “I played in Toulon for three years. Fortunately, I can still remember a lot from back then,” revealed Bosz.
The Dutchman focussed on the main event: the important Europa League match against Nice. “We want to win again and finish top of the group, ” the 56-year-old made clear. The 6-2 in the home game against French side “does look convincing. But Nice are a good team.” And the fact the chances of the hosts going through are minimal does not affect the targets for the Werkself. Bosz added: “We have to take the game seriously to get a good result. We have to be on the case one hundred per cent.”
Jonathan Tah is convinced about getting a “good” result at the end of 90 minutes at the Grand Stade De Nice. “Confidence is high of settling everything in Nice,” declared the Germany international. “We want to show the same desire and courage as in the home game.”
In addition to Tah and Bosz, a trio travelled to the Cote d’Azur who were unavailable for 0-0 draw with Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga. Nadiem Amiri, following his recovery from illness,and Karim Bellarabi, returning after a thigh injury, are back in the squad. In addition, Edmond Tapsoba also returns after his self-isolation last weekend following a positive coronavirus test.
Cem-Tuna Türkmen joins the first team squad for the first time. The 18-year-old has been at Bayer 04 since 2009 and is a versatile defender..
Match info:
Broadcasters: RTL Nitro, DAZN and Werks11 Radio
Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)

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Former Werkself star Michael Ballack, who won the German Footballer of the Year award in 2002 while playing in Leverkusen, celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday. Bayer 04 sends him its best wishes!
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Attention Werkself fans: In addition to tickets for the floodlit home match against Werder Bremen, tickets are now also available for the Bayer 04 women’s team’s two subsequent fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburger SV at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Both matches in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga will take place at family-friendly kick-off times on Saturday afternoons. Here is the latest information on matchday ticket sales.
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