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“We’ve been able to take confidence from our last outings and want to continue engraining our style of play,” Hjulmand said before the game. Looking ahead to the spell of seven matches in 21 days, the Dane added: “This block up until the next international break is obviously hugely important. But we only focus on the next game.”
In this case that is Mainz, who may be down in 16th place after picking up only four points from their first six games, but Hjulmand sees them as “a team with great quality, who showed last season by finishing sixth and qualifying for Europe what the team is capable of”.
Hjulmand will come up against a familiar face in Mainz boss Bo Henriksen. The two Danes faced each other eight times previously in their domestic league between 2016 and 2019, with Hjulmand boasting the better record of three wins to one, plus four draws. “Bo is a top coach and a great guy. But tomorrow isn’t about him and me. It’s about getting the win for Bayer 04,” the Leverkusen boss affirmed.
Hjulmand was also asked about his previous spell in charge of the 05ers, admitting that he doesn’t have too much contact with people at the club anymore. “Sometimes with Niko Bungert [former player and current sporting director]. And as coach of Denmark we sometimes had a few players at Mainz, meaning I went to visit a few times,” he explained.
As for an update on which players he’ll have available, Hjulmand said he “can’t and won’t to give too much away” but was generally positive about things. “We still have a training session today and will then see who’s involved. For example, Martin [Terrier] is very close.”
Alejo Sarco is the only player not yet back from international duty as he has Argentina’s U20 World Cup final against Morocco on Sunday night. “We’re very happy with his performances so far in the tournament,” said Hjulmand of the striker. “He’s doing very well. A final is a great experience for young players. We’re crossing our fingers and are looking forward to having him back here.”
Some 3,400 Bayer 04 fans will be in Mainz to support the team.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
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