Bayer 04: Great expectations, and many disturbances

Bayer goalkeeper Fabian Giefer was left fishing the ball out of his net twice in Mainz, and also incurred concussion for all his troubles.
First Team
Friday, 12.08.2011 / 17:35

Following their shock cup exit at the hands of Dynamo Dresden (3-4) and the defeat in the first game of the Bundesliga season, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, along with new trainer Robin Dutt, are under some serious pressure as they prepare to host Werder Bremen on the second day of the season (Sunday, 5:30pm)....

Following their shock cup exit at the hands of Dynamo Dresden (3-4) and the defeat in the first game of the Bundesliga season, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, along with new trainer Robin Dutt, are under some serious pressure as they prepare to host Werder Bremen on the second day of the season (Sunday, 5:30pm).

Bayer coach Robin Dutt is in need of some success after an unfortunate start

"Bayer are playing Champions League football and there are huge expectations from the team. There are a lot of disturbances though and also topics being brought in from the outside. Just how much of an effect that is having on the team is something that I can't say," commented Thomas Schaaf. What the 50 year old could say though is: "Under those circumstances, they are not just going to lie down and take it, but rather take on the challenge and defend themselves." To do so, Bayer need to clarify some particular issues, beginning with their problem between the posts. German international René Adler is out of the reckoning due to injury for the foreseeable future. His replacement, David Yelldell, was less than convincing in Dresden and Fabian Giefer, who wore the gloves in Mainz, played a horror pass which led to the first goal. To sub salt into the already gaping wounds of the keeper, Giefer then took a blow to the head, leaving him concussed.

Schaaf: "Stabilise in order to ensure more wins"

The job between the posts is now set to be passed on to Bernd Leno, who was signed from VfB Stuttgart this week with the hope of steadying the ship: "Leno played in the youth national team, he really came along well in the past year and was being watched carefully by many clubs. The Bundesliga is of course a different matter but he does have a very special quality. Whether or not he can prove himself," stated Thomas Schaaf, who added: "Generally the atmosphere here with us is very positive but we are not just thinking from minute to minute. Our targets are no changing, the way ahead will have setbacks such as bad defeats or injuries. We are continuing to work seriously and concentrated. We are not talking about the situation in the table." What it all means is that the Green-Whites are prepared to take on the up-coming tasks and the first steps along the way have been fulfilled: "We wanted to make a good Bundesliga start and we managed to do that. We need to stabilize in order to ensure more wins."

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