Back
5.02.2022Bayer 04

Bellarabi ahead of BVB game: 'It will be exciting right to the end'

Karim Bellarabi knows what it's all about: When the Werkself line up against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday 4 February (kick-off: 15.30 CET), the 31-year-old midfielder will be the only player in the Bayer 04 squad to have been on the winning side at the Signal Iduna Park. In an interview with bayer04.de, the Black and Reds number 38 reveals key factors for Sunday and also talks about his favourite match against the Black and Yellows.
crop_20220127_JS_Training_0575.jpg

 

Karim, how are you all feeling heading to Dortmund?

Bellarabi: We had a couple of days off last weekend and were all able to recover to some extent. We worked well in training this week and the last few weeks have gone very well overall. Therefore, we are going into this game full of confidence. Nevertheless, we also know it will be a very difficult and exciting match against a strong team.

Two of the three best attacking sides in the Bundesliga meet in BVB (52 goals) against the Werkself (49 goals). Can the fans of both teams expect a goal fest?

Bellarabi: Games against Dortmund are always special. They are actually very similar to us and we have a lot of quick players too. Therefore, I believe it will be exciting right to the end.

It's second against third. What could make the difference in the end?

Bellarabi: We'll see. In games like that it's mostly the little things. We always give 100 per cent and we have our plan. We went to implement that as well as we can and for as long as possible.

To what extent do you have a score to settle with BVB after the 4-3 defeat earlier in the season?

Bellarabi: That was an intense match but I can remember it exactly. Of course, this time we want to end up with the three points.

You are the only player in the current Werkself squad to have won at Dortmund. Did you know that?

Bellarabi: That's the first time I've heard that. I hope a couple of my teammates can follow suit on Sunday. (He laughs) It's absolutely of secondary importance if I'm responsible for that. We want to achieve more as a team and play with high intensity. What happened in the past or happens in the future is irrelevant at the moment.

To finish with, tell us about your personal highlight against BVB.

Bellarabi: That's easy – obviously my goal after nine seconds. (He laughs) It was a very special game back then. It was the first Bundesliga match under Roger Schmidt and we had lots of plans at the start of the season. We faced a very strong opponent in Dortmund but we’d actually planned to get on the front foot early and take a risk. The fact it worked straightaway was obviously brilliant.

Related News

Trainingslager im Weimarer Land
Bayer 04 - 23.07.2026

Meet the legends, pub quiz and more: events fans can look forward to at the summer training camp

Plenty going on both on and off the pitch: The Bayer 04 fan support team has organised a number of highlights for fans visiting the Werkself 2026/27 summer training camp in Blankenhain, in the Weimarer Land region. Registration for the events is now open. All the details at a glance.

Show more
Paulina Platner, Ronny Schausten, Lilla Turanyi und Carolin Simon
Women - 23.07.2026

s2-Software remains Bayer 04 Women’s team sleeve sponsor

The Bayer 04 Leverkusen Women’s team and s2-Software are continuing their long-term partnership: The Werkself and the provider of pre-owned Microsoft licences have extended their contract by two years to 2028. This means s2-Software will remain the Bayer 04 sleeve sponsor for all matches in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga.

Show more
Partnerschaft der Bayer 04-Frauen mit BIOGENA
Women - 22.07.2026

BIOGENA new performance partner for Bayer 04 Women

BIOGENA is the new performance partner for the Bayer 04 Leverkusen Women’s team. Under a partnership initially set to run for three years, the club and the leading Austrian micronutrient company are pooling their expertise in the areas of health, fitness and top-level performance.

Show more
Kids-PK mit Janis Blaswich und Simeon Rapsch
Football Academy - 22.07.2026

‘I was a striker for a long time’: Kids’ press conference with Blaswich and Rapsch

100 children from the Bayer 04 Football Academy had the chance to gain exclusive insights: As part of the summer camp, the young footballers headed inside the BayArena at midday on Tuesday, 21 July, where they were due to meet Werkself keepers Janis Blaswich and Simeon Rapsch in the press conference room. The two players took plenty of time to answer every question from the inquisitive audience – whether it was about their own careers or their first impressions of the new head coach. Finally, there was even time left to sign autographs for the young fans.

Show more
Bayer 04 vs. Rot-Weiss EssenNach Jena-Absage: Bayer 04 testet am 1. August im UHS gegen Rot-Weiss Essen
Bayer 04 - 21.07.2026

Bayer 04 to play Rot-Weiss Essen on 1 August in rearranged friendly

Following the cancellation of Bayer 04’s scheduled friendly against Carl Zeiss Jena on 1 August, the Werkself have now found a new opponent for the same day and will host Rot-Weiss Essen of the 3. Liga at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. Kick-off is at 11:00 CEST and tickets are available now.

Show more