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).
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 0-1 loss against TSG Hoffenheim on the 19th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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The Bayer 04 Women suffered a setback in the race for third place in the Bundesliga table. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team lost 1-0 at home to direct rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday afternoon, with a penalty after two minutes deciding the match. With 32 points and a game in hand, TSG have moved above the Werkself, who remain on 31 points. There is now a three-week international break before the remaining seven Bundesliga matches.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without defender Loïc Badé for the time being. The Frenchman suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh in Saturday’s 1-0 Bundesliga defeat at FC Union Berlin. The diagnosis was the result of an MRI scan this Sunday morning.
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It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.
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