Ten Hag ahead of #SGAB04: 'We'll have to produce a good performance'

"We are fully focused on this game and want to be dominant, keen to attack and play with a great team spirit," said ten Hag right at the start of the pre-match press conference on Thursday before reiterating: "Focus – it's all about that. If we have that then we are in with a good chance of winning with all due respect to a very strong opponent."

SG Sonnenhof Großaspach have earned that respect on the one hand by becoming champions of the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg last season with just one defeat and a 19-point lead followed by winning the Württemberg Landespokal to put them through to the DFB Pokal this term. On the other hand, SG have made a brilliant start to the Regional League season with two wins from two games. Ten Hag sees the strength of the next opponents primarily in their "quality on the pitch. In addition, they score lots of goals. We’ll have to produce a good performance."

"set out a Match plan but also allow more leeway"

Ahead of the first game in the new season, ten Hag also reviewed the preseason: "The new players have settled in really quickly and that was enormously important. Now we can fully focus on training and the matches ahead. We give the team a structure and set out a match plan but at the same time we want to allow enough leeway for creativity and intuition."

With regard to the latest new signing Ernest Poku, who joined Leverkusen from AZ Alkmaar at the start of the week, the experienced head coach said: "We have integrated him as quickly as we could and given him a first idea of our approach. Even if you have to give new players a bit of time, he's here to play. Accordingly, he is an option for the starting XI."

Ten Hag on new captain Andrich: "the right man for this job"

Another result of the intensive preseason for ten Hag was appointing the Germany international Robert Andrich as the successor to Lukas Hradecky as the Werkself captain. The Dutchman explained: "It was a natural process. He led the way himself in the preseason, was always positive and brought people together. He is the right man for this job." However, ten Hag does not believe one person should lead a team on their own: "I see a lot of players in the team who can lead the way and want to."

Ten Hag was also asked about his successful past in cup competitions as a coach. The 55-year-old won the domestic cup competition in the Netherlands three times with Ajax as well as winning the FA Cup and the EFL Cup with Manchester United. Ten Hag: "I've always been really keen on cup competitions. Knockout games like this are extremely attractive."

Grimaldo doubtful – Arthur fit

Asked about the players available for the match, ten Hag said there was a question mark regarding Alejandro Grimaldo due to illness. While new signing Malik Tillman is still ruled out, Arthur has trained again recently and he will travel to Großaspach.

Live on Sky – matchday ticket office

The first round tie will be broadcast live on Sky. In addition, Werkself Radio will broadcast live from the WIRmachenDRUCK Arena with commentary provided by Niko Hartmann starting 30 minutes before kick-off as usual.

2,500 Bayer 04 fans will be in the away end at the stadium with a capacity of 10,001. There is an away matchday ticket office right next to the away entrance 16:00 CEST.