Karim Bellarabi and Wendell have agreed new long-term contracts at Bayer 04.
“We’re happy to finally get started again and we’re particularly happy that we were able to convince Wendell and Karim Bellarabi that it is the right decision to make a long-term commitment to Bayer 04,” said Rudi Völler in opening the press conference broadcast live on bayer04.de.
Ahead of the top match, head coach Roger Schmidt was very optimistic about the prevailing mood in the team: “This a very, very good sign for the club and for our group. We go into this match in very good shape. It will be an exciting game.”
Schmidt sees Gladbach as a very strong opponent: “Like us, they have a have a solid squad that is constantly strengthened.” From a tactical perspective Schmidt is primarily expecting a lot of turnover moments: “Both teams want to use winning possession to hurt the opposition. Gladbach are really very good at that - but so are we. Gladbach have intelligent, quick players up front. We’re prepared for that and we have to be tactically on our guard and react accordingly.”
Chicharito (broken hand), Stefan Kießling (back in full training) and Lars Bender are all ruled out. Julian Brandt could be back. Schmidt: “Julian Brandt is on top form. If he doesn’t say, ‘it’s not on, I’ve hardly slept a wink’ then we’ll take him with us.”
Ticket update
Bayer 04 will have the support of 2,600 fans at Gladbach. The away ticket office (at Borussia Park) still has seats available for Block 7 (€40.50). The office opens on the matchday 2 ½ hours before kick-off.
As part of the joint commitment of Bayer 04 and the City of Leverkusen to volunteering, the annual Volunteer Day took place in the 19nullvier Lounge at the BayArena. Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, Stefan Hebbel, Mayor of the City of Leverkusen, and club representative Stefan Kießling praised the commitment of the 200 or so volunteers from the region in attendance and thanked them for their impressive efforts.
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The clubs in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga will set up the Frauen-Bundesliga FBL e.V. On 10 December. The clubs have joined together to open a new chapter in the history of German women's football.
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In his 13 years as a professional player at Bayer 04, the honorary captain and record goalscorer made 446 appearances scoring 238 goals along the way. Many of them remain unforgotten, including his header to win the DFB Pokal in 1993. Ulf Kirsten celebrates his 60th birthday today Thursday - and Bayer 04 are happy to take this opportunity to look back on some of the former number nine’s special goals and games. But first of all: Happy Birthday, dear Ulf!
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The United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is celebrated worldwide on 3 December. Together with Bayer AG, Bayer 04 is once again setting an example for diversity and inclusion by lighting up the BayArena in purple in the evening.
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