Hjulmand on catching Bayern and facing Eriksen

Kasper, since you took over, only Bayern Munich have amassed more points than Leverkusen in the league. How did you manage to turn Bayer back into a top team? 

Kasper Hjulmand: “First of all, it’s about identity. At this club, there is an identity of playing football with expression - that is the base. This is something that I should enhance and I should make the framework for the players so they can feel free to play the game. From there, I try to find something that works with the players we have. We work from game to game and try to learn from game to game. 

Watch: Bayer Leverkusen 6-0 Heidenheim - highlights

"We have played well, but also had moments where we could improve. It’s about learning as we go. We play a match, we learn, and then we move on. It's also very important for this club to have an ambitious style of play and to be proactive. This is the identity of the club and this is how I want to do things as well. I want to start very simple and very structured and hopefully we can then build more and more.”

What were the main challenges you faced during the early stages of your reign?

Hjulmand: “The big thing is, I arrived on a Wednesday and we started playing on the Friday, and then every three days. We did not have many training sessions and had plenty of new players. A lot of them also came late in the transfer window. I didn’t know the staff or the players, so everything was new in those terms.

Watch: Bayer Leverkusen: City & stadium tour

"It was a big challenge to try to win and also share my vision with the team. We were shaping it as we went, little by little, and we were trying to work out what we already had. It’s a very tight schedule and it’s a newly put together squad.

"When I say it’s a new team, it’s not because everyone is new, but we are new together. Shaping a team doesn’t happen just like that because there are so many new constellations and so many people together that it takes time. That is the big challenge.”

The loss to Bayern was one of your worst days in the job so far, given the margin of victory was also significant. Is that simply part of the learning process and how big is the gap between the two teams?

Hjulmand: “The gap is definitely there and it was painful. We should not allow them to score those three goals. We're trying to close that gap, but I can definitely see the potential in our team and how much we can lift our game. This next phase with eight games in a very short amount of time is a challenge. For this season and next, we will try to lift our quality, but there is a gap as it is right now.”

Watch: Bayern 3-0 Leverkusen - highlights

Leverkusen rank highly in terms of challenges won and percentage of passes completed, while the team have scored many goals shortly after regaining possession. What do you make of that?

Hjulmand: “We are doing well, but we are also in the middle of a phase of the season where we are under pressure with a lot of games. We just had seven games in three weeks and now we have eight in a very short time. Injuries are also a factor, so it’s about load management.

"In terms of these numbers, I think it's very important to understand that the phases are linked. If you want to recover the ball quickly, it’s linked to how many short passes you have in the opponent’s half because when we lose it, we are very close by in order to regain the ball. 

"To be able to counter press better, we had to be better in keeping the ball high up the pitch. The game is played at a higher pace now, meaning you can attack quickly and directly. We have to do that so we can get on goal directly. We have to adapt to the different teams and the way our opponents play, but still keep our philosophy.”

Watch: Leverkusen's rising stars

Which players have taken charge in the dressing room, and how?

Hjulmand: “The experienced players have done a great job in taking responsibility and making sure that the new players feel comfortable. Mark Flekken has been great in goal. At the back, Edmond Tapsoba, who has been here for a while, is growing and so is Loïc Badé. Robert Andrich is doing a fantastic job every day on the training pitch to keep the level high.

"Aleix García has raised his game and takes responsibility for the rhythm of the game. Obviously [Alejandro] Grimaldo has performed very well, so he takes responsibility. Patrik Schick is also on form, and Jonas Hofmann too. When you have these experienced players, you can see that the young players try to lift their game. I think we have a lot of players who are taking this responsibility.”

Leverkusen's next match is against Wolfsburg, where you will be reunited with Christian Eriksen. You have an emotional history with him [Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during UEFA Euro 2020 when Hjulmand was Denmark head coach]. Would you have like him to join Leverkusen?

Hjulmand: “When I came, our squad had a lot of players in that position, so it was not the right time and place. We have lots of quality there, so it was not really an issue. Christian is a fantastic player and an even better person.

"When he starts playing football and you see him train and play, you see a very special player. He understands what he sees around him and he sees more on the pitch than most players. He’s a great player.”