Leverkusen continues chase for top-four spot
Bayer Leverkusen travels to bottom-side Heidenheim in search of a victory that will keep its bid for a UEFA Champions League spot alive, and coach Kasper Hjulmand hopes his side doesn't let the opportunity for some points slip.
Leverkusen currently sits sixth in the German top-flight, and is five points behind Hoffenheim and Stuttgart, which are third and fourth respectively.
Hjulmand's side is unbeaten in its past four Bundesliga matches, earning a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich last time out, although it was a missed opportunity with the leader going down to nine men.
Leverkusen comes into this match on the back of a defeat – it was beaten 2-0 by Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg, knocking it out of the tournament 3-1 on aggregate.
"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 [UEFA Champions League] games in our legs and will be fitter [after the break], which will help us."
Heidenheim is rock bottom of the Bundesliga with just 14 points and is 10 points from safety.
It has not won any of its past 13 matches in the competition, and has lost each of its past 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 has Mark Flekken back in the squad, the goalkeeper having recovered from an injury he sustained against Hoffenheim in January.
