Bayer Leverkusen intend to draw on fresh legs for the double-header against Borussia Dortmund after the surprise Champions League win at Manchester City, coach Kasper Hjulmand said on Friday.
“I am very, very satisfied with the performances in Manchester, but we also have new players here in the squad with fresh legs and that is very, very important,” he told a news conference ahead of Saturday’s Bundesliga home game with Dortmund. They then travel to their rivals on Tuesday in the German Cup last 16.
The suspended Robert Andrich and Edmond Tapsoba were among those missing from the 2-0 win in Manchester, as well as Jonas Hofmann, who is not registered for the competition.
“We are very happy that our squad is big again. We need every player at this stage,” Hjulmand emphasized.
Despite the coup in midweek, the coach is aiming for more.
“The match in Manchester was a good opportunity to learn. We have confidence in our game, but we have to do it even better. I hope against Dortmund we can take another step,” said the 53-year-old, whose team are in the Bundesliga top four for the first time this season, one point ahead of Dortmund.
“We try again and again to get better every day and in every game. And I believe we still have a lot of potential. We have played good matches, but we can play better. And that is our goal: to play better and better again and again,” added Hjulmand.
His side have won their last four matches in all competitions, scoring 12 goals and conceding only one.
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