Hjulmand ahead of #B04BVB: ‘Play our game again’

The Werkself have six games in three competitions within 21 days until the end of the year. When asked about possible rotation after the convincing 2-0 win at Manchester City in the Champions League, Kasper Hjulman explained : "The programme is very tight, we need all the players. That's why we're happy that some of them will be back on Saturday and can go into the game with fresh legs." Back in the squad are Edmond Tapsoba and Robert Andrich, who were suspended in Manchester, as well as Jonas Hofmann and Martin Terrier, who are not in the Champions League squad.

In addition to the long-term injured Exequiel Palacios and Ezequiel Fernández, goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, Arthur, Lucas Vázquez and Axel Tape will also be missing. Hjulmand: "Lucas and Axel are doing very well. They are in full training, maybe they will return next week."

Alejandro Grimaldo was also a topic of discussion at the press conference on Friday afternoon. With eight goals and five assists, the Spaniard is the club's best scorer and provider. "He's very important for the team's flexibility," said Hjulmand. "We give him a lot of freedom and he uses it to find the right spaces and give the team structure. Whether on the wing, in midfield or as a ten, he is a top player and also has a very professional attitude. And he takes responsibility as a leader."

second-best attack against second-best defence

On Saturday night at the BayArena, the third-placed team will host the fourth-placed side in the Bundesliga table. One point separates the two teams. While the Werkself have the second-best attack in the league, BVB can boast the second-best defence. "They are a top team, as they showed again this week in the Champions League against Villarreal (4-0, ed.). They are very structured and bring a high level of intensity," said Hjulmand.

The Dane is therefore looking forward to this top match: "We want to put in another good performance, play our game, take the next step and get better and better."

ahead of kick-off: charity donation and Video messages to the Team

Bayer 04 will also be setting up collection points for food donations for the seventh time in front of A Block (south-east) and in front of the north-west entrance (under the autobahn). Fans can donate food and toiletries to the Leverkusen food bank from the time the stadium opens at 16:30 CET until kick-off and thereby do a good turn in the run-up to Christmas.

In addition, a video greeting station will be set up in the area in front of Block A3, also from 16:30 to 18:30. Here, fans of the Werkself and the entire Bayer 04 family can send their seasonal messages.