Back
25.07.2016Bayer 04

Henrichs: 'I was totally relieved when it went in!'

Cool as ice – That was Benny Henrichs on Thursday in Sandhausen when a place in next year’s U20 World Cup rested on his spot-kick.
© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

He converted the winning penalty in the match for fifth place in the U19 European Championships at home where the Germany youngsters put in a great effort and at least ended up with a consolation prize. The path to that outcome was rather odd as the 18-year-old Henrichs admits in our 04 questions interview.

Benny, what went through your head when you took the winning penalty?
Henrichs: “I have to be honest: In all the excitement we thought we’d already won because Holland had missed twice and we’d only missed one. Then we ran to the keeper and the ref said we had to take another one. That saved me the long walk and meant I didn’t have too much time to think about it. But, of course, I was totally relieved when the ball went in.”

Then you could all celebrate – and be satisfied with the Euros overall?
Henrichs: “At the end of the day we can be happy we’ve qualified for the World Cup. But it was a real blow to go out in the group stage. That still hurts. The best bit is we’ll have the chance to do better at the World Cup next year.”

You’re back with the Werkself now. Is that a big change?
Henrichs: “Of course, it’s completely different. At the Euros all the lads were my age and here at Leverkusen most of them have been in the game for years. But that means you can learn a lot from them so I’m happy to be back here.”

What are your targets for next season?
Henrichs: “I want to carry on where I left off last season. Play as much as I can and show what I can do in every training session. I’ll definitely put in one hundred per cent.”

© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

Related News

Die Werkself bejubelt das 2:0 in Wiesbaden
DFB-Pokal - 22.08.2026

4–0 in Wiesbaden – Werkself through to DFB Pokal second round

Bayer 04 have comfortably reached the DFB Pokal second round thanks to a 4–0 victory away to Liga 3 side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Patrik Schick put the Werkself ahead in the first 45 in the first competitive match under head coach Carles Martínez with debuts for new signings Miguel Gutiérrez, Afonso Moreira and Facundo Medina. After the break, Lucas Vázquez (47'), Nathan Tella (69') and Christian Kofane (79') also found the back of the net.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #SVWWB04
DFB-Pokal - 22.08.2026

Matchday news: Season kicks off in DFB Pokal

Today brings the first match of the season for the Werkself. Bayer 04 kick off the 2026/27 campaign today, Saturday 22 August, at 13:00 CEST with a first-round DFB Pokal tie away to third-tier side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. The 3,700 travelling fans can not only look forward to what will hopefully be a successful start to the season, but also now organise their journeys to Black and Reds games even more easily via the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Meanwhile, following two defeats at the start of the league season, SV Wehen are hoping to spring a surprise in the DFB Pokal tie. Today’s matchday news.

Show more
Carolin Simon
Women - 21.08.2026

Women: Carolin Simon appointed as new captain

Carolin Simon is the new captain of the Bayer 04 women’s team. The full-back, who joined from Bayern Munich in the summer, will take over the captain’s armband for the 2026/27 season. Simon returned to Leverkusen in the summer after ten years away. The 33-year-old succeeds goalkeeper Friederike Repohl, who retired at the end of last season.

Show more
Die Trikots von Lucas Vázquez und Afonso Moreira
Bayer 04 - 21.08.2026

Squad numbers: Moreira number 9 – Vázquez now number 17

With the 2026/27 season set to kick off with a DFB Pokal tie away to SV Wehen Wiesbaden (Saturday, 22 August, 13:00 CEST), the squad numbers for two Werkself players have now been confirmed. New signing Afonso Moreira will wear the number 9, which he has already worn in pre-season friendlies. Lucas Vázquez is switching from number 21 to number 17 – the number he wore successfully at Real Madrid for many years.

Show more
Die PK vor dem DFB-Pokalspiel bei Wehen Wiesbaden | 1. Runde DFB-Pokal
Werkself-TV - 21.08.2026

Martínez ahead of DFB Pokal tie : ‘What we all love most about football’ – Tapsoba named captain

Bayer 04 start the 2026/27 season away to third-division side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Ahead of the DFB Pokal tie on Saturday 22 August (kick-off: 13:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez spoke at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. The topics: anticipation, passion, the fans’ support – and the captaincy for the new season.

Show more