"It's a good position to be in and a good result, but also a dangerous one - if you take it too lightly," said Kasper Hjulmand at the pre-match press conference on Monday afternoon, referring to the 2-0 win in the first leg at Olympiacos a week ago. "We're taking the game very seriously, it's not over yet. We'll need to be at our best against a a great opponent. But even the win in the first leg doesn't change the fact we're approaching the game as we normally do: We want to be proactive and win."
One of the Greek champions' strengths is set-pieces. Keeper Janis Blaswich: said: "Set-pieces are dangerous when the incoming balls are good and there are big players who are good in the air. That could be the case with Olympiacos. But we're prepared for that, we also have players of that calibre."
Tillman doubt – Blaswich "i want to help the team"
After Loïc Badé (muscle injury), there is a question mark over Malik Tillman playing against Olympiacos on Tuesday night after a kick on the ankle in the league game at Union Berlin. Hjulmand: "We don't think he'll be able to play. But we'll see and decide tomorrow after training and the medical."
Axel Tape was another personnel issue discussed at the press conference. The 18-year-old Frenchman recently played four matches for the U19s and he scored a great goal last weekend. "He's taken a step forward with these appearances. We are happy with his development. He's looking better and better every week. Sometimes things happen very quickly in football, we'll see."
Blaswich is set to be the Werkself keeper for the time being. When asked about possible competition for the position of number one keeper after Mark Flekken's recovery, the 34-year-old said: "I'm not thinking that far ahead. I'm focussing on this Champions League match and after that there are many other important games to come. I just want to help the team, that's what I'm here for and that's my full focus."
Kießling and Flekken as pundits on Werkself Radio
In the absence of Niko Hartmann due to illness, commentator Florian Bechholz will have VIP and professional support on Werkself Radio: In the first half of the match, honorary captain Stefan Kießling will act as a pundit, after the half-time break it will be goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who is still out injured. The broadcast (in German) starts half an hour before kick-off and, as always, can be heard live and free of charge on the Bayer 04 app and on bayer04.de.
