Back
2.08.2016Bayer 04

04 questions for Kampl: “I called Messi”

Last year he joined the Werkself at the last moment and now Kevin Kampl has been through the whole pre-season under Roger Schmidt and is someone who wants to go forwards on and off the pitch.
© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

Just before the long-awaited afternoon off he took time out for a new edition of our series “04 questions from us, 04 questions from you”. Here he explains what he does in his time off and his thoughts on the new season. And the final fan questions on #B04inAustria on Twitter and Facebook have a lot to say. Thank you for your keen involvement.

Kevin, more than half the training camp is done and dusted. An honest answer: How heavy are your legs?

Kampl: “Pretty heavy. Training camps are always very intensive so that’s the way it has to be. But I think we’ve taken a big step forward. We’re on the right track so I can cope with the heavy legs.”

Yesterday’s rugby practice must have done you in.

Kampl: “Yes, completely. But it was great fun. It was good for your head too to do something different from just football or running sessions. Rugby is a cool sport where you can only be successful as a team.”

Talking about teams: You look like a real unit herein Zell am See-Kaprun. Is the atmosphere as good as it looks?

Kampl: “Absolutely! This is the third year of the project so everything runs smoother. You know it all inside out and the new signings could not fit into the team better. None of them had had problems settling in and that says it all about our team spirit.”

The coaching staff have given everybody the afternoon off and you said you’d like to a sightseeing flight over the SalzburgerLand. So somebody wants to hit the heights...

Kampl: (laughs) “I think everybody here knows this season is going to be very tough. We do have a good squad but our competitors aren’t going to stand still. I just wanted to see the surroundings because we’ll be back home in a couple of days and then we have a strenuous season ahead of us where we want to be successful.”

Jacek Kij: How do you feel knowing Messi has copied your hairstyle?

Kampl: (laughs) “I’ve already called him to say that’s not on normally. But because it’s Lionel I’ve said in this case it’s alright. And it really suits him.”

@SergioSahne: Can you imagine staying at #Bayer04 for ever?

Kampl: “At the age of 25 it’s obviously very difficult to answer a question like that when you’ve got years of football ahead of you. But what I can say is: I’m over the moon to have returned to Bayer 04 after so many diversions. I grew up here, I played here during my whole time as a youth player and I want to achieve something here. I definitely want to win a trophy with Bayer 04.”

Sebastian Blum: What’s like playing yourself on FIFA?

Kampl: “To be honest: I don’t know as I don’t play FIFA much. If a team-mate is about and someone tosses me a console then I’m usually Real Madrid and I’m not in that squad. So I can’t really make a judgment.”

@SebastianOhme: There’s incredible competition in midfield this season. Does that spur you all on or does it put you under pressure?

Kampl: “Competition is always good. I can handle it really well as it means you have to give your all un every training session and every game. I’m glad we’ve reinforced our squad because we saw last season, when we had our run of injuries, how difficult it is if the same people play all the time. We’ll need every single player.”

© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

Related News

Bayer 04
eSports - 05.07.2025

#B04eSports: New Chapter, Same Grind – The eSports jersey for the 2025/26 season

A new look and new kit supplier for the 2025/26 campaign: Bayer 04 in tandem with sports equipment manufacturer New Balance present the official kit for the Leverkusen eSports players the coming season. New partner Sinology appears on the top right of the jersey. Menswear outfitters Lerros is still the main eSports sponsor and Niedax remains the sleeve partner. The jersey is available now from the Bayer 04 online shop and the Fanwelt.

Show more
Kerim Alajbegovic
Bayer 04 - 03.07.2025

Bayer 04 transfer Kerim Alajbegovic to Salzburg

Bosnia U19 international Kerim Alajbegovic is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen's youth set-up to Red Bull Salzburg. The talented attacking midfielder has signed a long-term contract with the Austrian club. At the same time, the works club secured a buy-back option for the 17-year-old, who was one of the mainstays of the Leverkusen U19s.

Show more
ten Hag
Bayer 04 - 02.07.2025

Bayer 04 first team and youth players start preseason on 7 July

Preparations for the 2025/26 season at Bayer 04 start next Monday, 7 July, with the first team and youth players training together. Without the international players who were involved with their national teams at the end of last season, new head coach Erik ten Hag will welcome a group of senior and youth players to the first open training session one week ahead of the departure to the training camp in Rio de Janeiro. After the official welcome in the dressing room, the Werkself players will start the session in the shadow of the BayArena on 7 July at 14:00 CEST.

Show more
Begegnungslogo
Bayer 04 - 02.07.2025

Tickets for the friendly at Chelsea

The Werkself are away to Premier League club Chelsea in the final pre-season friendly. The game against the current holders of the UEFA Conference League is on Friday, 8 August at Stamford Bridge with the kick-off at 20:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.

Show more