
What do you think you have to achieve and would you be really disappointed if you couldn't make it? (@Amy, via Twitter)
Julian Brandt: "I'd definitely be disappointed if I didn't manage to win a title during my career. Then I don't think I'd be able to stop playing football – I'd be happy to stand at the corner flag and watch as my team-mates win the title (he laughs). No, to be serious: Winning a title is definitely one of the things I have to achieve."
Who would you most like to meet? (Yvonne Heilmann, via Facebook)
Julian Brandt: (thinks about it) "I can't think of anybody in particular at the moment who I want to emulate or see as a role model – not athletes, actors or politicians even though there a lot of cool people. But I don't dream about having to get to know somebody."
Were you able to enjoy your holiday? (Nico Jager, via Facebook)
Julian Brandt: "Yes, I was really able to enjoy my holiday – the four weeks and the holiday with my family were great."
What effect does the team have on you – as things stand? (Marcel Kirchhoff, via Facebook)
Julian Brandt: "I was able to follow a couple of the games in the pre-season - including via the live stream. I think the team look very solid: We've won the first four friendlies and all without conceding. Of course, there were opponents we had to beat but I think the lads have performed pretty well. And now everybody's determined to make progress in training. I think we'll get up to speed over the next two weeks so we're ready to go in the new season."


The second European away game takes the Werkself to the Portuguese capital Lisbon. Kasper Hjulmand's team will face record champions Benfica on Wednesday, 5 November (kick-off: 20:00 GMT, 21:00 CET) on matchday 4 in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League. As usual, we will take you along on the #aCROSSeurope journey and report from Lisbon. The times given are Central European Time.
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The Werkself beat Benfica 1-0 on Matchday 4 of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase to seal three crucial points! Both teams had promising chances in the first half, but the contest was goalless at half-time. Substitute Patrik Schick headed in to score the only goal after the restart (65’). The home side went looking for an equaliser but Bayer 04 defended passionately to see out the storm.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win against Hamburger SV on the 9th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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The Werkself consolidated their position among the top teams in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga thanks to a last-minute goal on Wednesday evening. Roberto Pätzold’s team beat Hamburger SV 2-1 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Kristin Kögel (14’) and Caroline Kehrer (90’+5) scored for Bayer 04. The result takes Bayer 04 Women onto 19 points, third in the table behind top two Bayern Munich (25) and VfL Wolfsburg (22).
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One Bayer 04 player in particular is looking forward to the Werkself’s Champions League match away at Benfica on Wednesday 5 November (kick-off at 21:00 CET). Alejandro Grimaldo returns to his old stomping ground for the first time since he joined Bayer 04 two years ago. He encounters a Portuguese side that are unbeaten in the domestic league but under pressure in the UEFA Champions League having not taken any points, even under new coach José Mourinho. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in Lisbon.
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