
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 Werkself have reached at least the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal in each of the last three years. The Black-and-Reds would like to make it to the final four of the competition again this season, but to do that they'll need to overcome 1. FC Nürnberg in round two, who travel to the BayArena with momentum following a successful league campaign so far. However, Bayer have a 100 percent record at home in all competitions this season - and have also won six of their last seven home matches in the Pokal. The Matchday News.
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Back at home in the second round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal, Bayer 04 host FC Nürnberg at the BayArena. The match against the current second-placed side in Bundesliga 2 is on Wednesday 28 October at 20:45 CET. Ahead of the game, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about his anticipation of the clash in front of a home crowd. The Spaniard also commented on a number of personnel matters, including Ibrahim Maza and Montrell Culbreath, plus the visitors’ coach, Miroslav Klose.
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Now in their third season under head coach Miroslav Klose, FC Nürnberg are among the promotion contenders in Bundesliga 2. On Wednesday 28 October (kick-off: 20:45 CET), the team currently second in the table are away to Bayer 04 in the second round of the DFB Pokal. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Werkself player Ibrahim Maza has been named in the top ten in the ‘Men’s Young Talent of the Year’ category for 2026. The 20-year-old was at the London Palladium on Monday evening for the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony. Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, also attended the ceremony. Lamine Yamal of Barcelona was named the winner in the ‘Men’s Young Talent of the Year’ category.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without forward Moussa Diaby for their upcoming matches. The 27-year-old Frenchman sustained a thigh injury in the 3-0 defeat against TSG Hoffenheim yesterday afternoon, Sunday 25 October. Diaby is expected to be available again after the international break in November.
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