"We want to fight our way through to the quarter-finals with passion," said the head coach the day before the first showdown in the Champions League. The Werkself are ready for the #nextLEVel.
Bayer 04 have a score to settle with the Spanish team coached by Diego Simeone. Almost exactly two years ago, the clubs faced each other in the Round of 16 of the Champions League with the Red and Whites winning out on penalties after two tight games. A moment that Schmidt has obviously not forgotten does not play a significant role for him in 2017. Those matches are more a reference point as both teams have not changed greatly in terms of playing style as Schmidt observed. "And, as we've seen, we can compete with the top team like Atlético on a good day."
Boost for the Champions League tie
His players have received a boost with the two wins in the league. "I've seen beaming faces," admitted Schmidt: "We will go into this game with belief and confidence." There is a question mark over Lars Bender. The Werkself captain went off at Augsburg with a muscular problem and trained on his own on Tuesday. A decision on his availability be made on the day of the match.
The team from the Spanish capital also have injury problems. In addition to the important defenders Juanfran and Diego Godin, the defensive stalwarts Tiago and Augusto Fernandez have not travelled to the Rhineland. Good news for Simeone: goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who underwent a shoulder operation in December, returned to full training this week.
In spite of the absences, Atlético will still field a team full of international experience. "We won't be able to beat Madrid as a matter of course," said Schmidt: "Instead, we'll have to show our quality and play without fear."
#nextLEVel
Ahead of the home game against Atlético, Bayer 04 have made it possible for all fans to tweet their support using the hashtag #nextLEVel via StadiumVision to the BayArena.
The Nerazzurri are in town: Today, Tuesday 10 December, Bayer 04 entertain the reigning champions of Italy Inter Milan on Matchday 6 in the UEFA Champions League (kick-off: 21.00 CET/live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio). Read on for the latest information on the home game at the BayArena.
Show moreThe Bayer 04 U19 team lost 1-0 to Inter Milan on the sixth and final matchday in the league phase of the UEFA Youth League 2024/25. The only goal of the game was scored just after the hour mark. While the side from North Italy have finished top in the league phase with a maximum points return, the Leverkusen team appeared to have just missed out on the knockout stages of the European competition. There is faint hope looking to several games to follow where results are needed to go the way of the Werkself.
Show moreItalian teams are known for being strong in defence. The fact that Inter Milan, the next opponents for the Werkself in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, 10 December (kick-off: 20.45 CET), have not conceded a single goal in their last five matches is impressive. Will the visitors' keeper Yann Sommer be able to keep a clean sheet at the BayArena against Florian Wirtz and Co.? The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Borussia Dortmund on Bundesliga Matchday 16. The game at the Signal Iduna Park on Friday, 10 January 2025, kicks off at 20.30 CET. Read on for information on ticket sales.
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