Leverkusen excited to begin campaign

Bayer Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia says he cannot wait to kick-off their Bundesliga campaign with an away trip to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

Hyypia, who was named permanent Leverkusen coach in May after taking over in a caretaker capacity following Robin Dutt’s sacking in April, said his team had been working hard throughout the off-season, although he admitted there was still some finetuning to be done.

“We have been working for eight weeks, and finally the real season begins,” Hyypia said.

“We are not yet totally prepared, but the rest will come during the season. I am sure that this will happen.”

Both Leverkusen and Frankfurt have been in first-round DFB Pokal action this week – with contrasting fortunes.

Frankfurt lost 3-0 to second division opponents, while Leverkusen eased past fourth-tier side Carl Zeiss Jena 4-0.

Leverkusen midfielder Simon Rolfes said it was important to find some good early-season form.

“We had a good start to the season in the DFB Pokal, and we are well prepared, but now it is important to start well in the Bundesliga,” Rolfes said.

“We need to get into to the competition and to find our rhythm.”

And Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno predicts a tough test from newly promoted Frankfurt.

“Frankfurt had a bad start in the cup and they lost their game, so they will be determined to beat us. It won’t be a game an easy game for us,” Leno said.