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.”
A first win in the preseason: In the last friendly before the start of a two-week break in training, the Bayer 04 Women beat top-flight Dutch side Ajax 1-0. In the match played over three 30-minute thirds Vanessa Fudalla scored the goal for the Werkself. In the previous two friendlies this summer, the team led by head coach Roberto Pätzold lost 2-0 two Bundesliga rivals TSG Hoffenheim and drew 1-1 with the Dutch team PEC Zwolle.
Show moreAlejo Sarco has joined the Werkself training camp in Brazil. The 19-year-old striker, signed from Argentinian club Vélez Sarsfield in January, talks to bayer04.de about his first six months in Germany, help from Exequiel Palacios and his targets up to the end of the year.
Show moreThe friendly against the CR Flamengo U20 team on Friday, 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) represents the sporting highlight of the current Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Ahead of the clash at the Estádio da Gávea against the highly successful youth team, there was a media event with the two Bayer 04 managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes plus head coach Erik ten Hag. The trio talked about the forthcoming opponents, first impressions of Brazil and the reasons for holding the training camp in the land of the five-time World Cup winners. Here are the key statements.
Show moreDay three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Today, Thursday 17 July, sees the two new signings Jarell Quansah and Christian Kofane join the squad in training. Plus the former Werkself players Paulo Sergio and Rodrigo Chagas visit the Bayer AG Football School. In the afternoon there is a big media event ahead of the friendly against the Flamengo U20s. As usual, Bayer04.de keeps you up-to-date with on-the-spot reports. The blog for day three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour (timings given in local time).
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