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.
At the end of the winter training camp in Portugal, the Bayer 04 Women convincingly mastered their friendly ahead of the start of the second half of the season. In the match against Swiss league leaders Servette FCCF, coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 3-0 at the Monte Gordo Sports Complex. Carlotta Wamser (4’), Vanessa Fudalla (18’) and Loreen Bender (53’) scored for Bayer 04, who have been preparing for the Rückrunde in the Algarve since last Saturday.
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The German Football League (DFL) has rescheduled the postponed fixture at Hamburger SV on Bundesliga matchday 17. The match, due to be played on Tuesday, has now been rescheduled for Wednesday, 4 March (kick-off: 20:30 CET).
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In the first episode of the new interview series "A New Chapter", Werkself defender Jarell Quansah reflects on his first few months under the Cross and speaks about his journey from England to Leverkusen. Having come through the ranks at Liverpool, a new chapter began for Quansah in the summer at Bayer 04 — with new objectives, fresh challenges and much ambition. In the video, the centre-back speaks about his development as a player and person, about the courage to leave your own comfort zone, and about what it means for him to be part of an international team in a different country. Honest, reflective and full of motivation — just like the start of his Werkself career.
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Full focus on Hoffenheim: after the late postponement of the away match at Hamburger SV, the Werkself are looking forward. To get themselves in top shape for the key clash at top-six rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday 17 January (kick-off 15:30 CET), a number of players showed full commitment even on a day off - including two AFCON returnees...
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After Rio de Janeiro, it's off to Thuringia: This summer, Bayer 04 Leverkusen will prepare for the 2026/27 football season in Germany. While Brazil was the destination last year, the Werkself will now set up their training camp in Blankenhain, just outside Erfurt, from 1 to 7 August 2026.
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