Before the Rhenish duel, Bayer’s Jonas Hofmann sees 1. FC Cologne under pressure. The lack of center forward goals doesn’t worry him.
Knows his way around Rhenish derbies: Leverkusen’s Leverkusen’s Jonas Hofmann IMAGO/Uwe Kraft
The question of pressure will certainly be asked often in the coming weeks. It doesn’t matter whether Bayer stumbles or not. Given the eight point lead over FC Bayern, it remains to be seen whether the team can actually grab the championship trophy or whether they will squander their great opportunity.
Before the Rhenish duel at 1. FC Cologne, Leverkusen’s offensive man Jonas Hofmann spoke about the printed matter without being asked – and made it clear that the need to act next Sunday was more likely to be felt by the neighbor, who was in danger of relegation. “For Cologne,” he said after Tuesday’s training, “it’s about a lot. For us too, of course, but I think it’s clear that Cologne is under pressure and we are with our control of the game, our security on the ball and our self-confidence want to act like they have in large parts of this season.”
Against Mainz last Friday, the league leaders were only partially successful in doing this for a change – the Werkself hadn’t really been able to play their typical possession football, apart from the good first quarter of an hour. And in the end we still won 2-1.
“Don’t let there be a rush”
It is said that anyone who wins such games has what it takes to become a champion. As is well known, Bayer wants to stay as far away from such mental games as possible and keep a cool head, which is likely to be of greater importance, especially on Sunday. “In a derby,” said Hofmann, “there is always explosiveness, emotions and adrenaline. Those who have been there for a long time know what’s important. It’s about keeping calm, largely ignoring what’s going on around you, and focusing on yourself focused on his game, his plan, didn’t let things rush and hit at the right moment.”
This is currently much more difficult for the 31-year-old himself than it was in the outstanding previous series. After his return from the Africa Cup, Amine Adli fit well into the team and took advantage of his opportunity, while Hofmann recently started several times from the bench and was recently substituted after 56 minutes against Mainz (kicker rating 4.5). In addition, Bayer professionals from different parts of the team have met in recent weeks – only one classic center forward goal has been missing since December 20th and the 4-0 win against VfL Bochum.
Missing center forward goals are no problem
Patrik Schick scored three times at the time. Since then, however, the Czech, who had previously been out injured for months, has been waiting for a sense of success, as has winter newcomer Borja Iglesias – top scorer Victor Boniface is still working on his comeback after his muscle tendon injury in the right adductor area. “Of course,” explained Hofmann, “it’s always good for strikers or offensive players when they score. Nevertheless, it’s about winning the games.” So if Bayer won every game, he says with a smile on his face, “and only hit defenders, that would be fine with me too.”
Stay relaxed – that’s how his message can be described. It’s also going excellently. The Werkself have been unbeaten for a historic 33 (!) competitive games, winning and winning. And at least so far he has mastered the pressure game extremely well.
2024-02-27 15:07:44
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