"We got off to a bad start in the group. We shouldn't have lost against Moscow. We did better in Turin but left empty-handed," said the head coach. "Now we have to take a lot of risks tomorrow if we're going to win the game." Easier said than done as the Madrid side keep it tight at the back. "Atletico concede very few goals but we normally score a lot – unfortunately not last week but we have the quality including in away games," said Bosz ahead of the seventh meeting for the Werkself with Atletico on the European stage.
There have already been two ties in the Round of 16 in Europe's premier club competition – the Champions League campaign in 2016/17 ended with a 4-2 away defeat and a goalless draw at home; it was much closer in 2014/15 when the Werkself lost 3-2 on penalties. This time, "we want to show that we can get a result in this group," said Julian Baumgartlinger before emphasising: "We won't give up without a fight. The quality of the opposition is well known. They are compact, quick at the back, fast in transition and able to counter-attack really well." Baumgartlinger remains undaunted: "We want to play our own game."
Peter Bosz also spoke about his opposite number: "It's incredible what Diego Simeone has achieved here over the past few years. They compete at the top of the league every year and qualify for the Champions League – he's a phenomenon in my opinion. But I hope we don't help them out tomorrow." Atletico superstar Joao Felix will not be able to help his team either. The 19-year-old goalgetter is sidelined with an ankle injury. "He's one of the most talented players around. But we also know from the quality of the Atletico squad that they can replace him," said Baumgartlinger. "We haven't just prepared for Felix but also for the general style of play of our opponents."
Tomorrow's game will be refereed by Artur Soares Dias (Portugal).
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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