Back
19.04.2021Bayer 04

Völler: Super League would be ‘A crime against football’

It is the big football issue on this Monday: the Super League. Rudi Völler, sporting managing director at Bayer 04, talks about the planned new European club competition and makes his views clear. Further news in brief: Celebration, praise and coronavirus tests – review of the derby victory.
crop_imago0046706378h.jpg

The news was a bombshell: Overnight from Sunday to Monday, twelve top European clubs officially announced their intention to form a so-called ‘Super League’. The clubs from England, Italy and Spain are intending to run the competition on weekdays. At the weekend they want to continue to play in their national leagues.

Immediately after the announcement, numerous clubs and officials from across Europe criticised this project. FIFA and UEFA are also against the introduction of a Super League. Leverkusen's sporting managing director Rudi Völler did not mince his words. The 61-year-old said to the Bild newspaper: “A closed shop is a crime against football. Anybody who wants to play in this league should be thrown out of all national leagues. With all their teams. The youth teams, the women's teams – all of them have to go!" Völler said in relation to the two possible Super League participants from Germany: "The fact Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are not joining in shows they've got a backbone."

#B04KOE: Looking back at the derby win

Better news from the Werkself camp – and what news it was. The 3-0 derby win in the home game against FC Köln unleashed great emotion amongst Werkself players, coaches, officials, staff and fans. Bayer 04 won both games against FC Köln in a season for the first time since 2008/09.

The target for the 66th Bundesliga meeting with the team from Cologne was clearly expressed by the Werkself head coach Hannes Wolf at the pre-match press conference on Friday: "It's about the next derby win!" Said and done!

With space and masks: Fans cheer on the Werkself

Leon Bailey opened the scoring early on at the BayArena (5'), Moussa Diaby (51’) and the Jamaican again (76’) secured the final score of 3-0 in the second half. Over the course of the second 45 minutes, with the Werkself already on course for victory in the derby, chants from the fans could be heard at the BayArena. Around 80 Black and Red supporters gathered on Bismarckstraße. Maintaining social distance and wearing masks, they cheered and sang for the 26th derby win in the top-flight.

 

20210417_JS_B04_KOE_2036.jpg

After the final whistle, Charles Aránguiz and Co. thanked the fans: The Werkself assembled on the pitch in front of the East Stand and applauded loudly. A successful partnership between team and supporters adhering to the rules and restrictions due to the pandemic – and a great end to a successful derby Saturday.

Top marks for Bailey, Diaby and Co.

For the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, two-goal Leon Bailey was the 'Man of the Match' and the 'Best Player on the Pitch'. His performance earned the Jamaican top marks and the same assessment in the kicker. The Rheinische Post gave Bailey top marks and he was also in the team of the day in the Bild and kicker. Other top marks went to Moussa Diaby, scorer of the second goal, as well as defensive stalwart Sven Bender.

Coronavirus tests for journalists and staff

In order to provide the best possible and safe working environment, Bayer 04 worked in partnership with the German Red Cross plus volunteers on Saturday to provide voluntary, free coronavirus tests for the first time for all members of staff and journalists. Around 80 people were tested ahead of the derby.

 

20210417_JS_B04_KOE_0002.jpg

Tests will be available for further Werkself home games as with the clash with Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, 24 April (kick-off: 18.30 CET).

Related News

Women end record-breaking season with 1-3 defeat in Wolfsburg | Matchday 22
Werkself-TV - 11.05.2025

Women: TV-highlights of 1-3 loss at VfL Wolfsburg

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-3 loss at VfL Wolfsburg on the 22nd matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2024/25...

Show more
Enttäuschung bei den Bayer 04-Frauen
Women - 11.05.2025

Bayer 04 Women end record season with 3-1 loss in Wolfsburg

Bayer 04 Women ended their record-breaking 2024/25 Bundesliga season with a 3-1 defeat at Wolfsburg. It means Roberto Pätzold’s side finish the campaign with an unprecedented 43 points and 13 wins in fourth place for the club’s highest-ever finish. Cornelia Kramer scored the Werkself’s goal in the 75th minute.

Show more
Verabschiedung Leihspieler
Bayer 04 - 11.05.2025

Bayer 04 say goodbye to loanees Buendia, Hermoso and Mukiele

Bayer 04 said goodbye to loanees Emiliano Buendia, Mario Hermoso and Nordi Mukiele ahead of kick-off in their final home game of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season against Borussia Dortmund.

Show more
BayArena
Bundesliga - 11.05.2025

Matchday news #B04BVB: Goodbyes at final home game

Bayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund in their final home game of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. The Matchday 33 encounter this Sunday (3.30pm CEST) is a sell-out at the BayArena, which will say goodbye to several players like Jonathan Tah and also coach Xabi Alonso. Here’s all you need to know ahead of this crucial game for both teams.

Show more
Die Pressekonferenz vor dem letzten Heimspiel in 2024/25 | 33. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 11.05.2025

Alonso ahead of #B04BVB: Anticipation ahead of top match and last home game

In front of a full house at the BayArena, Borussia Dortmund are the opponents on Bundesliga matchday 33 on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). For BVB it is about important points in the race for a Champions League spot while the Werkself are looking to maintain the chance of the second best season in the club's history. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, head coach Xabi Alonso talked about the approach to the clash. In addition, the Spaniard officially announced his departure from Bayer 04 at the end of the season.

Show more