Charles, the home game against Juventus is part of the challenge for second place in Group D with Atletico Madrid. How can we beat the group leaders?
First of all, it’s great to be playing against Juventus and taking on a team with players like that. That’s what the Champions League is all about. We have to be very focused on the game. We should enjoy it but, above all, we should be aware of our responsibilities. We’ve got a chance of going through to the next round of the Champions League. We can’t afford to think about anything else but this game.
Juve will finish top of the group. Do you think Ronaldo and Co. will take it easy at the BayArena?
I can’t imagine top players like that not taking a game seriously. It will be very difficult. But we’re hopeful and we’ll do all we can to win and make the people happy. If the results go right then it will obviously be great to go through to the next round.
You talk about us going through to the Round of 16. That would be a minor miracle after losing the first three games. Would it be a ‘miracle’ for you too?
Of course, it would be a big surprise. As a team, we dropped important points at the start of the competition and we haven’t made up for it. But we can’t look back and we have to focus on Juventus. We have to keep working hard and win. If Atletico don’t win then we can start thinking about what to call it.
Third place is guaranteed so you will be in the Europa League at the very least. You can afford to be relaxed, can’t you?
I prefer to see it as us having the chance to go through. We want to be in the next round and nothing else. That’s the mentality you need.
What do games in the Champions League mean to you? And, above all, the home games at the BayArena?
The Champions League is a great competition. Playing against the best players in the best teams is a really great experience. And if we manage to work with the crowd against Juve like we did against Atletico then we’ll have a good chance of winning the game.
You played a big part in the Werkself being able to win against Atletico and in Moscow – not just because of your two assists. How happy are you with your performances in the Champions League to date?
I’m never really satisfied. You always want to do your best and give all you can. We hope to go through to the next round and continue playing in the Champions League. If we can do that then I will definitely be a bit happier… (he grins).
The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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