“It would be great if we can score that historic goal. It would be the opener and we always look to take the lead.” However: “It will be difficult against Augsburg as they’ve been much more solid in defence over the past few weeks.”
Ahead of the “exciting phase” with the Augsburg-Spiel and the ensuing fixture list starting with home games in the Champions League against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday night and the Bundesliga against FSV Mainz 05, Roger Schmidt declared: “We know what to expect. The sooner our players are on top form, the better our chances of getting something out of those games. But we’re just focussed on FC Augsburg at the moment. After a good final training session we’ll fly to Augsburg and try to influence proceedings there, assert ourselves and come out on top.”
Schmidt sees Augsburg as a “difficult opponent” who “again and again manage to put opponents off their game. We have to take account of how they’ll play and we’ll probably have to defend a lot of high balls. Augsburg have a good target man in Bobadilla who can hold the ball up and lay off to the quick players coming up in support. We’re ready for them.”
Tah, Toprak and Calhanoglu sidelined
There was good news on the injury front for Aleksandar Dragovic: “Aleks has been in full training all week. With him and Tin Jedvaj we have two top players as options in central defence. It’s very important as Jonathan Tah is still injured and Ömer Toprak is suspended.” In addition, Hakan Calhanoglu is also ruled out for the rest of the season. All the other players are fit. There is a question mark over Lars Bender. “Lars had a slight problem after the intense game against Frankfurt caused by his very long injury lay-off. But they are general issues. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see if he’s available. I can’t be certain at the moment.”
Special sports class for enthusiastic primary school children: as part of the first action day of the Bayer 04 campaign ‘District Matchdays’ in the 2024/25 season, Werkself players Vanessa Haim and Estrella Merino Gonzalez visited the KGS Thomas-Morus-Schule in Schlebusch on Wednesday afternoon and led a lesson in the gym. This was anything but an unusual situation for summer signing Haim.
Show moreAlong with Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord have for many years been amongst the top three clubs in Dutch football. After winning the league title for the 16th time in the club's history year ago, Feyenoord finished last season as runners-up. Now the club from the port city face the champions of Germany on matchday one in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25. Bayer 04 can expect a rough ride at the cauldron of the De Kuip stadium on Thursday, 19 September (kick-off: 18.45 CEST). The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreAhead of the opening match in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 away to top Dutch club Feyenoord on Thursday, 19 September (kick-off: 18.45 CEST), the Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team has all the info you need for the match at Feyenoord's De Kuip stadium…
Show moreThe Bayer 04 Women's team play newly promoted Turbine Potsdam in the Round of 16 in the DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw held on Monday night. The match will be played between 22 and 24 November with details to be confirmed.
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