The Champions League comes first but the local derby against 1. FC Köln is in the back of the mind: Rodger Schmidt manages his first Rhein derby against the Billy Goats on Saturday, but before then his Leverkusen side host AS Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday (20:45 CET).
"I’m not the sort of person to say that the Champions League all well and good but the league is more important,” said Schmidt to German newspaper Bild as he drew attention away from the derby and back to European competition. Bayer 04 would qualify for the next round with a positive result but know that a victory would confirm them as group winners ahead of the final group game against Benfica on 9th December and ensure that they play a team who finished second in their group in the last 16. “Our aim is to win the group. We’ll do everything to make sure this happens,” explained Schmidt shortly before the final training session. He also added that the result between Zenit St. Petersburg and Benfica, who play earlier in the day, wouldn’t impact his team: “We want to win every game we play and to qualify for the knock-out stages on our own accord.”
Leno: "Winning the group would be a huge success for us"
“The most important thing is that we qualify for the next round, but it would be nice to top the group,” said Bayer 04 sporting director Rudi Völler. The side face important games against Köln and FC Bayern München next week but it’s not the most immediate concern. “It’s going to be a nice but tough week,” said Bernd Leno. The Germany U21 goalkeeper echoed Völler’s sentiments: “Winning the group would be a huge success for us and would give us confidence to kick on in the Bundesliga,” said the Keeper ahead of the game on Wednesday.
The first clash between the sides saw Monaco come out 1-0 victors, which the Bayer 04 players haven’t forgotten about. “It will be anything but an easy came. It’s no coincidence that that they have only conceded one goal in the tournament so far,” said Schmidt, who confirmed that he will play a strong starting eleven.
Rolfes and Castro fit againt
Former Leverkusen player Dimitar Berbatov, who set up the winner in the first meeting, is fit for a return to his former home. Schmidt is delighted to see some of his stars return to the squad: Wendell, Simon Rolfes and Gonzalo Castro are available for selection once again.
The Champions League comes first but the local derby against 1. FC Köln is in the back of the mind: Rodger Schmidt manages his first Rhein derby against the Billy Goats on Saturday, but before then his Leverkusen side host AS Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday (20:45 CET).
"I’m not the sort of person to say that the Champions League all well and good but the league is more important,” said Schmidt to German newspaper Bild as he drew attention away from the derby and back to European competition. Bayer 04 would qualify for the next round with a positive result but know that a victory would confirm them as group winners ahead of the final group game against Benfica on 9th December and ensure that they play a team who finished second in their group in the last 16. “Our aim is to win the group. We’ll do everything to make sure this happens,” explained Schmidt shortly before the final training session. He also added that the result between Zenit St. Petersburg and Benfica, who play earlier in the day, wouldn’t impact his team: “We want to win every game we play and to qualify for the knock-out stages on our own accord.”
Leno: "Winning the group would be a huge success for us"
“The most important thing is that we qualify for the next round, but it would be nice to top the group,” said Bayer 04 sporting director Rudi Völler. The side face important games against Köln and FC Bayern München next week but it’s not the most immediate concern. “It’s going to be a nice but tough week,” said Bernd Leno. The Germany U21 goalkeeper echoed Völler’s sentiments: “Winning the group would be a huge success for us and would give us confidence to kick on in the Bundesliga,” said the Keeper ahead of the game on Wednesday.
The first clash between the sides saw Monaco come out 1-0 victors, which the Bayer 04 players haven’t forgotten about. “It will be anything but an easy came. It’s no coincidence that that they have only conceded one goal in the tournament so far,” said Schmidt, who confirmed that he will play a strong starting eleven.
Rolfes and Castro fit againt
Former Leverkusen player Dimitar Berbatov, who set up the winner in the first meeting, is fit for a return to his former home. Schmidt is delighted to see some of his stars return to the squad: Wendell, Simon Rolfes and Gonzalo Castro are available for selection once again.
