Bayer Leverkusen: Gerardo Seoane dampens expectations at Sardar Azmoun

Bayer winter shopping

In the 1-1 draw in Munich, Leverkusen’s winter signing Sardar Azmoun received his first Bundesliga minute from coach Gerardo Seoane. Shortly before the end, the 27-year-old came on for Moussa Diaby in the Allianz Arena, but in the eyes of the Bayer coach the 2.5 million transfer is still a long way from regular appearances: “We don’t have the real one here yet Sardar”, the 43-year-old is quoted by “Kicker”.

The Iranian, who was injured recently, is out of the question as a serious backup for the injured top scorer Patrik Schik because, among other things, he is currently lacking the “high explosiveness”. “Azmoun has good draft. He is not a player who attracts attention with dribbles and hooks, but is very efficient. Very effective with the technique. Few ball contacts, high productivity, very clear in the finish. He’s different from the other strikers,” said Seoane. Nevertheless, the coach is happy “that we have Sardar in this phase. Without Patrik we need additional potential up front.”

Alario, Aránguiz & Co.: The 20 most expensive additions to Bayer Leverkusen

19. Jeremie Frimpong | 20/21 by Celtic Glasgow

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Transfer fee: €11 million

19.Kevin Kampl | 15/16 by Borussia Dortmund

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Transfer fee: €11 million

17. Chicharito | 15/16 by Manchester United

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Transfer fee: €12 million

17. Mitchell Wise | 18/19 by Hertha BSC

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Transfer fee: €12 million

15. Heung Min Son | 13/14 from HSV

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Transfer fee: €12.5 million

15. Sven Bender | 17/18 from BVB

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Transfer fee: €12.5 million

14. Charles Aranguiz | 15/16 from SC Internacional

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Transfer fee: €13 million

13. Moussa Diaby | 2019/20 by PSG

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Transfer fee: €15 million

12. Hakan Calhanoğlu | 2014/15 from HSV

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Transfer fee: €15.3 million

11.Leon Bailey | 2016/17 from KRC Genk

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Transfer fee: €16.7 million

10. Exquiel Palacios | 2019/20 by River Plate

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Transfer fee: €17 million

9. Panagiotis Retsus | 2017/18 by Olympiacos

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Transfer fee: €17.5 million

8. Edmond Tapsoba | 2019/20 by Vitoria Guimaraes

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Transfer fee: €18 million

7. Paulinho | 2018/19 by Vasco da Gama

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Transfer fee: €18.5 million

6.Kevin Volland | 2016/17 by Hoffenheim

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Transfer fee: €20 million

5. Aleksandar Dragovic | 2016/17 by Dynamo Kyiv

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Transfer fee: €21m

4. Odilon Kossounou | 2021/22 by Club Brugge

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Transfer fee: €23 million

3. Lucas Alário | 2017/18 by River Plate

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Transfer fee: €24 million

2. Patrick Schick | 2020/21 by AS Roma

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Transfer fee: €26.5 million

1. Kerem Demirbay | 2019/20 by Hoffenheim

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Transfer fee: €32m

In terms of player type, Seoane compares Azmoun more with offensive power Florian Wirtz: “In Florian we have a guy who recognizes the spaces well, goes into the right spaces, out of sneaking. Azmoun is one of those guys too, but one row further up. He has a very good feeling for running paths, for the situation.

Bayer coach Seoane optimistic before the Europa League quarter-finals against Atalanta

With five wins from the last seven competitive games under their belt and a stable form, Leverkusen want to take the first step towards the quarter-finals in northern Italy. At table-6. in Serie A, on the other hand, things have been mixed recently. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s team lost 1-0 at AS Roma at the weekend. Seoane paid tribute to the opponent before the clash, Atalanta was “very strong collectively. (…) They have developed good players in recent years. We have studied the team closely – it will be a difficult task, but we can do it.”

The coach has to do without midfielder Kerem Demirbay. The 28-year-old is only allowed to intervene again in the second leg after his red card in the game against Real Betis. He is expected to be replaced by Exequiel Palacios.

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