Hjulmand urges Leverkusen to 'seize the opportunity' in Bundesliga top-four race

Kasper Hjulmand wants Bayer Leverkusen to "seize the opportunity" to challenge the teams above them in the race for the Bundesliga top four with a win against Heidenheim.

Leverkusen currently sit sixth in the German top-flight, and are five points behind Hoffenheim and Stuttgart, who are third and fourth, respectively.

Hjulmand's side are unbeaten in their last four Bundesliga matches (W1 D3), earning a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich last time out, though it was a missed opportunity with the leaders going down to nine men.

And Leverkusen come into this match on the back of a defeat; they were beaten 2-0 by Arsenal in the Champions League last-16 second leg, knocking them out of the tournament 3-1 on aggregate.

Leverkusen are given a 40.5% chance of making the top four by the Opta supercomputer, and Hjulmand believes his side are motivated to go into the international break on a high note.

"The players know very well that the Bundesliga is the most important competition," Hjulmand said.

"Everyone realises the importance of this game; I can feel that. We want to go into the international break feeling good. We are ready.

"We absolutely want to seize this opportunity and challenge the teams ahead of us.

"We won't have these [Champions League] games in our legs and will be fitter [after the break], which will help us."

Heidenheim are rock bottom of the Bundesliga with just 14 points and are 10 from safety.

They have not won any of their last 13 matches in the competition, and have lost each of their last three, going down 1-0 to Eintracht Frankfurt last time out.

"It's very difficult to play in Heidenheim, even though they are currently in 18th place," Hjulmand said.

"The players are ready for this match and know what's at stake. We're not looking too far ahead but are fully focused on winning this game."

Leverkusen also have goalkeeper Mark Flekken back in the squad, having recovered from an injury he sustained against Hoffenheim in January.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Heidenheim – Diant Ramaj

With 58 goals conceded, Heidenheim have the weakest defence of all teams in the Bundesliga this season.

Diant Ramaj is responsible for conceding 56 of those, and has failed to keep a clean sheet since joining Heidenheim on loan from Borussia Dortmund.

Bayer Leverkusen – Patrik Schick

Patrik Schick recorded his third assist of the season on the last matchday, equalling his personal Bundesliga record from the 2021-22 season.

Schick has scored five goals in four Bundesliga games against Heidenheim, averaging a goal every 48 minutes – he needs fewer minutes per goal against no other current Bundesliga club.