After an unsatisfactory start to the season in terms of results, Bayer 04 are determined to turn the positives of recent weeks into points in front of their own fans. "I've spoken to several players this week," reported Herrlich. "The feeling was clear: We want to show we can do better." The slips in concentration that led to goals being conceded unnecessarily were worked on over the week and greater focus placed on set pieces. Up front on Sunday, Bayer 04 will "try to be flexible and get through to the last third of the pitch. We've succeeded in doing that recently," said Herrlich. "Then we've got to take the chances we create."
Lucas Alario will not be available on Sunday. Bayer 04 are still waiting for the Argentinian new signing to get permission to play. Herrlich will also be without Tin Jedvaj who is currently making good progress in rehab after suffering a hairline fracture to his shin. Otherwise, the head coach has the rest of the squad to choose from: Players like Jonathan Tah and Sven Bender have recovered well from knocks at the weekend and new signing Panos Retsos took part in full training at the start of the week. The 19-year-old could make his debut in Black and Red against Freiburg. "He made a very good impression and is absolutely an option for the starting line-up," said Herrlich in praise of the Greece defender.
There will be another first on the touchline: Jonas Boldt, sporting manager at Bayer 04, will take his place alongside the coaches and support the team from the sidelines. This move is in response to a request from Herrlich as the Bayer 04 coach revealed: "I made the suggestion during our training camp and I think having Jonas as an additional person and observer will make things easier." That was not possible earlier because of the recently closed transfer window. The Bayer 04 sporting manager will now be able to contribute to a successful home performance from close to the action against Freiburg.
The fact the match against a former club – Herrlich was at SC Freiburg for three years before his move to Leverkusen in 1989 – will not be easy is clear to the Bayer 04 coach. "Freiburg have all the qualities needed for successful football today. We need a top performance to achieve our target." A target the team is focused on: With the support of around 26,000 fans expected at the BayArena, Bayer 04 players and coaches are looking to celebrate first home victory of the campaign on Sunday afternoon.
After Jens Nowotny was officially named a Bayer 04 honorary captain last weekend, the long-standing Werkself player is part of the Leverkusen delegation on the trophy tour to New York City next week from 11 to 14 September. In an interview with bayer04.de, the 50-year-old talked about his expectations ahead of the trip to the metropolis on the East Coast of the USA.
Show moreThe German Football League (DFL) has confirmed the dates and kick-off times for matchdays 6 to 12 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. Full details of the Bayer 04 fixtures.
Show moreMarkus Rehm, a long jumper at TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, won the gold medal for the fourth time in succession at the Paralympics on Wednesday.
Show moreThe fixture details for the second round of the DFB Pokal 2024/25 have been confirmed. The home tie for Bayer 04 against second division SV 07 Elversberg is on Tuesday, 29 October with the kick off at 18.00 CET (live on Sky). That was announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Thursday.
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