'We'll have to be on our guard'

The Bayer 04 head coach commented on…

…the personnel situation: "We've come through the busy run of fixtures pretty well. Mitchell Weiser had a slight groin problem before the game in Düsseldorf and that hasn't improved. He won't be able to take part in the final pre-match training session. But we're very optimistic we'll be able to get him fit by tomorrow."

…injury worries: "I hope nobody else gets injured. We have a very limited and slim squad –  we particularly can't afford any more injuries in the full-back positions as it will be very difficult to compensate for that."

…the 7-0 win for Borussia Dortmund against FC Nürnberg: "It was an impressive performance against a newly promoted club. I was there on matchday one when Borussia Dortmund  played Leipzig. Leipzig started very well  but somehow Dortmund managed to turn the game around and win in the end (4-1, ed.). Dortmund are currently in impressive shape, Lucien Favre is doing a really good job. Nevertheless, we believe we are in with a chance and we'll look for a result tomorrow."

…the game plan against BVB: "It will be important to be very compact and when we lose possession for everybody to work against the ball. Dortmund play an incredibly quick passing game, have an incredible amount of quality and fast players, particularly in attack. We'll have to be on our guard straightaway after losing the ball and cover back immediately to deal with those strengths – as far as that's possible."

…the 4-0 defeat at Dortmund in the second half of last season: "We put in a poor performance – without any courage or resistance – particularly when the opposition were in possession of the ball. The counter-example was the home game last season where we did very well and deservedly took the lead.  Our game fell apart when Wendell was sent off but, in spite of being a man down, we had a great chance to make it 2-0 in a counter-attack but we didn't take it. Instead we conceded the equaliser quarter of an hour before the final whistle. Tomorrow we'll have to aim to produce a similar performance."

…the fluctuations in performance for the Werkself in recent games:  "We've talked about that and we've worked on being 100% focused over 90 minutes in the future. We didn't plan to play the first half in Düsseldorf like we did. We improved in the second half. In the match before that against Mainz, our first half was very good and in the second half the opposition ran out of steam. After our exciting return journey from Rasgrad we had the situation in that game where one or two players were at their limits. And if an opponent comes out for the second half and tries  to play further up the pitch and exercise more pressure than that makes life difficult. However: in  the last three games we've scored at the right time and that was very important."

…Last Bender's half-time speech in Düsseldorf:  "It was a very good sign. The dynamic in the team is healthy. It's my business if people speak out. I've been working on that since I arrived here. It's absolutely desired – we need that liveliness. The next step must be for something like that to happen more often – perhaps even before a game. It's right that happens in the dressing room sometimes. Football is about something important and it has to be spicy at times. That was the way it was when I played. But there's another generation today and there are other types of players. Nevertheless, I think it's important to express yourself fully to achieve the maximum possible success. I'm convinced that players should take more responsibility. At the end of the day, they're on the pitch and they have to organise themselves."

…on the role of Sven Bender in central defence: "The spine of the team always has to be right. You need a couple of chiefs in the team to lead the Indians. And the Indians have to be prepared to take it on."

…Germany being awarded Euro 2024: "I think we can all be happy that we've been allowed to host it. We all remember the World Cup in 2006, which presented an outstanding view of Germany across the globe. At a tournament like that, it's not just about results or performances on the pitch but also about how our country presents itself. I think it will be a good opportunity to show we are open-minded."