Edmond, you’re starting the Europa League campaign against OGC Nice. What do you think about the draw?
The draw is good, I’m happy about our opponents Nice, Slavia Prague and Hapoel Beer Sheva. Our target must be to go through to the next round. But anything can happen in football, we have to be focused and keep on improving. Even if the opponents are strong – we are Bayer 04, we want to win the group.
How do you rate Nice?
They are a strong opponent from a strong league. Dante plays there and I really rate him. He’s a defender I very much like and I watched him on television during his time at Bayern and playing for Brazil. It will be special for me to play against him.
What does it mean to you to play in the Europa League again?
Every player loves European games. For me it’s a challenge to play at that level. I played in the Europa League at Guimarães but that was different because they’re a smaller club. Anything is possible with Leverkusen and last season we were in the quarter-finals against Inter Milan. We have to improve this season. I dream of winning the Europa League with Leverkusen.
You’re only 21 years old but have already played 16 Europa League games including the quarter-finals...
When I was young, I didn’t think I’d play on the European stage so early. I thought I’d do it when I was 24 or 25. I’m very happy about it and working hard to play more games at this level. The game against Inter was a highlight of my career in spite of the 2-1 defeat. I want to get there again.
What highlights have you experienced in the Europa League before joining Leverkusen?
Almost exactly a year ago, I played for Vitoria Guimarães in London against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and we won 3-2 after drawing 1-1 in Portugal. And we also won 2-0 at Standard Liege. Unfortunately we didn’t go through to the knockout rounds because we lost twice in the group against Eintracht Frankfurt. I scored three goals in qualifiers for the group stage with two of them coming in the 4-0 victory against Jeunesse Esch (Luxembourg, ed.). I scored the winner in the 1-0 against FCSB from Bucharest.”
What’s your assessment of the start of the season in the Bundesliga?
We’re not unhappy but we could have done better. Six points from four games is not what we were hoping for. We’ve got a good team with outstanding players and the ability to get more points. Winning the first game on matchday four was a bit late. But we want to build on that and show what we can do in all competitions.
The schedule that faces nearly every team is very intensive this year. There are lots of double fixture weeks and you’ve been on duty for Burkina Faso on top of that. What do you say to that heavy workload?
I’ll take it as it comes. We footballers just love to play. If you rest well and recover properly then it shouldn’t be a problem having to play a lot of games. It’s easier when you win and that makes it real fun. That’s why we want to beat Nice.
At the end of the winter training camp in Portugal, the Bayer 04 Women convincingly mastered their friendly ahead of the start of the second half of the season. In the match against Swiss league leaders Servette FCCF, coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 3-0 at the Monte Gordo Sports Complex. Carlotta Wamser (4’), Vanessa Fudalla (18’) and Loreen Bender (53’) scored for Bayer 04, who have been preparing for the Rückrunde in the Algarve since last Saturday.
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The German Football League (DFL) has rescheduled the postponed fixture at Hamburger SV on Bundesliga matchday 17. The match, due to be played on Tuesday, has now been rescheduled for Wednesday, 4 March (kick-off: 20:30 CET).
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In the first episode of the new interview series "A New Chapter", Werkself defender Jarell Quansah reflects on his first few months under the Cross and speaks about his journey from England to Leverkusen. Having come through the ranks at Liverpool, a new chapter began for Quansah in the summer at Bayer 04 — with new objectives, fresh challenges and much ambition. In the video, the centre-back speaks about his development as a player and person, about the courage to leave your own comfort zone, and about what it means for him to be part of an international team in a different country. Honest, reflective and full of motivation — just like the start of his Werkself career.
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Full focus on Hoffenheim: after the late postponement of the away match at Hamburger SV, the Werkself are looking forward. To get themselves in top shape for the key clash at top-six rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday 17 January (kick-off 15:30 CET), a number of players showed full commitment even on a day off - including two AFCON returnees...
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After Rio de Janeiro, it's off to Thuringia: This summer, Bayer 04 Leverkusen will prepare for the 2026/27 football season in Germany. While Brazil was the destination last year, the Werkself will now set up their training camp in Blankenhain, just outside Erfurt, from 1 to 7 August 2026.
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