The pressure in Leverkusen is growing. Having slipped down to 17th place in the Bundesliga, Tuesday’s Champions League game at FC Porto could become coach Seoane’s first final.
These are complicated days in Leverkusen. After Friday’s 4-0 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, all eyes are now on the UEFA Champions League. Bayer is a guest at FC Porto on Tuesday (9 p.m.).
FC Bayern free themselves from the crisis against Leverkusen
The mood in Leverkusen is clouded over again, the euphoria that has arisen in the meantime after the 2-0 win against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in mid-September has long since evaporated. The Werkself had a lot planned during the international break.
The chances of breaking out of the bottom of the table with a win against Bayern seemed better than they had in a long time. The record champions made the game on Friday all the clearer. With an unchallenged victory, FCB intensified the crisis in Leverkusen and increased the pressure on those responsible once again.
Leverkusen slides into the table basement
Bayer Leverkusen has slipped to 17th place in the table and has five points after eight games. Bayer has never been worse off after eight games since the three-point rule.
And yet coach Seoane will also be on the sidelines in Porto on Tuesday evening, probably thanks to the respectable success recently in the premier class. However, it is also clear that results are needed, the pressure is enormous. “We need success in the short term, a different attitude in the short term,” said sporting director Simon Rolfes after the defeat at Bayern.
After all, the club, which confirmed club boss Fernando Carro in the Sport1 “double pass”, was “not unprepared” when it came to the trainer question. And could act accordingly quickly and spontaneously.
Actually, Carro Seoane had clearly strengthened his back before the Munich game. And the desire to get the curve with the Swiss is still pronounced. The defenseless appearance in Munich has at least partially led to a rethink. “Of course you can lose in Munich – just maybe not like that,” said Carro. Seoane is no longer untouchable, he has to deliver.
Porto could become the final game
Seoane himself is also aware of his situation. “We always live with this fear as a coach. After a game like this you have certain doubts in your head and then you have to put them away.”
The way out of the crisis should be fought together – at least from the point of view of the 43-year-old Swiss: “Ultimately there is only one way: to find solutions together, to support each other together and to gain self-confidence through small successes.”
Three landmark games in one week
The game against Porto could be the final for Seoane. The Portuguese are bottom of Group B with zero points and lost 4-0 against Club Brugge. One who wants to change that looks back on a long Leverkusen past. The Brazilian Wendell – active at Bayer from 2014 to 2021 – has been playing for FC Porto for a year.
And in the league on Saturday (3.30 p.m.) there is also a trend-setting game against FC Schalke 04, who are in 15th place with one point more. With a win, Bayer would take a deep breath in the league.
