The Werkself at Saint-Gilloise – text updates

+++19 April, 13.31 CEST+++

Simon Rolfes fielded questions from the media at the final pre-match training session. The sporting managing director talked about a “good position after the 1-1 draw in the first leg against a very strong Saint-Gilloise team who, above all, have physically strong players. Speaking about the condition of the Werkself players in recent weeks with the crowded fixture list, the 41-year-old added: “Of course, they are tiring weeks. But the lads are in good shape mentally and physically and there’s a lot of excitement and concentration in training. There’s huge anticipation ahead of tomorrow night’s game.”

+++19 April, 12.45 CEST+++

The 15 minutes of the official pre-match training session at the BayArena, that is open to the media, is over. Everything now carries on behind closed doors!

+++19 April, 11.16 CEST+++

Today’s agenda for the Werkself is as follows: The official pre-match training session at the BayArena begins around 12.30 CEST. The team and staff will set off by coach for Brussels in the afternoon heading for the team hotel. The last official duty for head coach Xabi Alonso and one selected Werkself player – this time Robert Andrich – is at this evening’s pre-match press conference at the Lotto Park in Anderlecht.

+++19 April, 10.33 CEST+++

Last Thursday’s quarter-final, first leg against Union Saint-Gilloise in front of a full house at the BayArena ended in a 1-1 draw. In the first half, Florian Wirtz, Moussa Diaby and Piero Hincapie had the best chances for the Werkself. However, there was a lack of precision in finishing. After the restart, it was Victor Boniface who put the Belgians 1-0 up (51’). The Werkself then pressed for the equaliser and were rewarded for their commitment on 82 minutes. Wirtz scored a deserved equaliser to make it 1-1. The match report

+++19 April, 9.57 CEST+++

The Werkself route to the quarter-finals: Bayer 04 qualified for the knockout stage of the Europa League at the beginning of November of last year after finishing third in The champions League Group B. The Black and Reds finished behind Porto as well as Club Brugge but ahead of Atlético Madrid. The play-offs brought a nerve biting second-leg away to AS Monaco including winning on penalties to progress to the Round of 16. The next opponents were Ferencvaros and the Werkself won both the first and the second legs 2-0.

+++19  April, 9.04 Uhr+++

The Werkself are starting the next international trip: The Bayer 04 plays and staff headed off in the direction of Brussels this afternoon where they will play Union Saint-Gilloise tomorrow night at 21.00 CEST in the quarter-final, second leg in the Europa League.