The staff and players have used their first full week of training since mid-August to analyse their current predicament in detail and prepare themselves in the best-possible fashion for Saturday's Bundesliga clash in Leverkusen (15:30 CET). "We've had a very good and a very intense week of training," said Peter Bosz.

Only once previously – between the first and second rounds of the campaign – has the Dutchman had his whole squad together without there being a midweek match on the agenda or seeing a dozen or more of his charges depart to link up with their national teams. "This time we've had the opportunity to really train properly," said Bosz. And given what transpired in the derby, it has been particularly important "that I have had the players with me for several days. We've taken the time to analyse in detail this long spell with unsatisfactory results."

Peter Bosz looked as calm and composed as ever when he faced the media today, brushing off talk about himself ("That's just a distraction, I just want to focus on my work"). The Dutchman's entire focus is on the next match, which pits Borussia Dortmund against "one of the best footballing sides in the Bundesliga," according to Bosz, who continued: "Even on the first Matchday, Bayer Leverkusen played very well against Bayern."

The coach is expecting to have Roman Bürki, who rejoined team training for the first time today, back in between the sticks. Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is suspended anyway, is currently suffering from a hip problem that has been bothering him for about a fortnight. "We've withdrawn him for the time being. He'll resume training again on Sunday."

They'll have to do without their top-scorer at the BayArena. The coach did not clarify who would replace him. "What we need now is a positive result," he said: "The most important thing is for us to get back to winning ways." But Bosz is confident, declaring: "The quality and attitude in training were good, even from those who don't play so often."
Boris Rupert