Jonathan Tah, how are you? Have you had a chance to take a holiday since your groin injury or did you start rehab at Leverkusen straightaway?
Tah: I'm doing really well and the rehab's going well too. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take a holiday due to the injury but I'll make up for that soon. I'm looking forward to it already.
When will you be fit again? Are you looking forward to the pre-season with the Werkself?
Tah: Yes, I'm very much looking forward to being back on the pitch very soon. I'll start training again after my holiday. But first of all I'll have to start working on my own. We’ll gradually increase the workload. I hope to be able to be back in full training two to three weeks after the start of the pre-season.
You recently posted that you are very happy that Stefan Kießling is staying for another season. How important is he to the Werkself and how do you get on with each other?
Tah: I get on really well with Stefan Kießling. When I came to Leverkusen he did a lot for me and helped me settle in. He's a great bloke. And he’s enormously important for us on the pitch. He can score crucial goals at any time. And everybody knows how valuable he is for Leverkusen as a whole.
You spoke to Heiko Herrlich last week. What's your first impression of the new head coach?
Tah: Heiko Herrlich really impressed me. I'm very excited that he’s got started and I’m looking forward to working with him. My first conversation with him was also good because it included talking about when I'm going on holiday. :)
The 04 fan questions - Thank you for taking part!
@SethRollinsLEV (via Twitter): How do you see the chances for Germany in the Confederations Cup and the U 21 European Championships?
Tah: Both teams have very good squads and are capable of winning. Of course, they do have some very strong opponents. Above all in the Confed Cup, the other teams have their top players with them while Germany are missing some of the top stars. However, Germany will still want to win.
@jannisvlm (via Twitter): Which stadium would you like to play in where you've never played before?
Tah: It would be the Santiago Bernabeu. I've been there when there was no game on. I would like to have the chance to play there – and hopefully win.
Ricardo Gianlucca (via Facebook): Besides yourself, who do you think is the best central defender in the world?
Tah: For me it's Sergio Ramos at the moment. He's had an outstanding season and he made a solid contribution to taking Real Madrid to where they are.
Vanessa Arntzen (via Facebook): What does #dieuestaucontrole mean to you?
Tah: Literally translated it means "God is in control". That means God controls everything. That's what I believe and it gives me a lot of strength in difficult situations like now. And even when things are going well my faith provides support.
There won’t just be plenty of excitement on the pitch as Bayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena at 18:30 CET on Saturday. Outside the stadium there will be collection points for food donations to the Leverkusen Foodbank, which will also benefit from the profits of a jersey raffle in the Fanwelt afterwards. There will also be a minute’s silence before kick-off following the passing of long-time Werkself player Dieter Herzog, before two fan clubs are honoured for their decades-long support at half-time and fans receive a talk about Orange Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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Bayer 04 go into the first of two successive clashes with Borussia Dortmund boosted by their Champions League win at Manchester City. Ahead of the Bundesliga top match on Saturday, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the tight schedule, BVB's strengths and returning squad members.
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Borussia Dortmund are doing very well in terms of points and results in the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. BVB have only suffered two defeats to date this term. Now coach Niko Kovac's team are away to the Werkself on Saturday night, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET) in the top match on Bundesliga matchday 12. The two teams meet again three days later in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie in Dortmund. Two very competitive encounters are on the cards. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The Bayer 04 Women clcoked up a 3-2 win in a friendly against Twente Enschede on Thursday afternoon in the last international break of 2025. In drizzle, Lilla Turanyi (16’), Kristin Kögel (65’) and Paulina Bartz (69’) scored the goals for the Werkself against the Dutch Eredivisie Vrouwen leaders, who are still unbeaten in the league.
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