Back
17.02.2021Europa League

Dragovic: Turn artificial pitch to our advantage

The Werkself will be playing on an unfamiliar surface in the first Europa League game of the year on Thursday 18 February. The first leg in the Round of 32 against BSC Young Boys Bern at the Wankdorf Stadium is on an artificial pitch. Central defender Aleksandar Dragovic knows what he and his teammates can expect. The Austrian is not only used to the playing surface in Bern but he is also familiar with the playing style of the Swiss opposition.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

The 29-year-old played for FC Basel for two years. During his time in Switzerland, Aleksandar Dragovic played five games in Bern with FCB. He was never on the losing side with four wins and one draw under his belt. “It can be a bit strange for the away team in the opening minutes. The ball moves very fast,” warned the experienced defender at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday evening. “But we can get used to the pitch tonight in the final training session. These new conditions could be an advantage with our style of play.”

Bayer 04 head coach Peter Bosz is also very familiar with artificial pitches. The 57-year-old coached the Dutch first division team Heracles Almelo from 2004 to 2006 and they also had an artificial pitch. “It won’t be a problem for us tomorrow,” Bosz added. He did suggest one or two players might not be in the starting eleven due to the possibility of injuries caused by the playing surface.”

Hradecky misses match in Bern

One of those is the first choice keeper Lukas Hradecky. The Werkself number one recently suffered a problem with his heel and he had to to be substituted at half-time in the Bundesliga home game against FSV Mainz 05 (2-2). The Finn will again be replaced by Niklas Lomb as in the second half against Mainz. Bosz left the question unanswered of whether Hradecky will be available for Sunday’s game at FC Augsburg.

The Dutchman preferred to focus on the next opponents in the Europa League – and they are a force to be reckoned with. Young Boys won the Swiss league for past three years and last year lifted the domestic cup. And in the current campaign the team under head coach Gerardo Seoane are forging ahead in Switzerland. After 20 league games, the lead over second-placed Basel is already 16 points. “I’m particularly impressed by the consistency of the team,” Bosz declared.

Central defender Dragovic added in relation to the strengths of YB: “They have played a very physical game since Adi Hütter was in charge (2015 to 2018, ed.). In addition, they are incredibly quick in attack. They have some real live wires. But they always take risks. And we have to be ready for that.”

Match information:
Broadcasters: DAZN and Werks11 Radio
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Related News

Selfie mit den Fans
Women - 13.03.2025

Women: Family matchday with autograph session against Werder Bremen

Bayer 04 have organised a range of events at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium for the home game against Werder Bremen Sunday, 16 March. Part of the family matchday is an autograph session with two of the currently injured players Katharina Piljic and Vanessa Haim.

Show more
Werkself bow out of the Champions League after a 2-0 defeat | Round of 16 UCL
Werkself-TV - 12.03.2025

TV highlights of 0-2 against FC Bayern

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 0-2 loss against FC Bayern Munich in the 2nd leg of the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25...

Show more
Jeremie Frimpong
Champions League - 11.03.2025

Werkself bow out of Champions League after 2-0 defeat to FC Bayern

Bayer 04 were unable to mount a comeback despite valiant efforts. A week after the 3-0 defeat in the first leg at Bayern Munich, the Werkself were beaten in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 tie. Both the goals conceded in the 2-0 defeat came in the second half.

Show more
Cornelia Kramer trifft
Women - 11.03.2025

Two set pieces for victory: Women equal points record in Jena

The Bayer 04 Women have secured three points on the road after four games without a win. Thanks to an impressive second-half performance and two set-piece goals, the team led by coach Roberto Pätzold sealed a 2-0 win away to newcomers FC Carl Zeiss Jena. With goals from Cornelia Kramer (54') and Lilla Turanyi (73') the Werkself have equalled their previous points record from the 2020/21 season with 33 points after 16 games this term.

Show more
BayArena
Champions League - 11.03.2025

Matchday news #B04FCB: Go all out for a comeback

The Werkself host Bayern Munich in the Round of 16 second leg in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 in front of a full house at the BayArena (first leg 0-3). Today's match on Tuesday, 11 March, kicks off at 21:00 CET and is broadcast live on Prime Video as well as on Werkself Radio. Matchday news brings you the latest news on the game.

Show more