
You've been hiking today – was it very tiring?
Yurchenko: It was okay but the last stretch was tiring. But it's good for the team – and it was something different for a change.
What's the mood like in the team at the training camp? Yurchenko: We're all a bit tired but that's normal for a training camp. The important thing is the fact we're all having fun because we're together.
We could do with a win against Lazio, couldn't we?
Yurchenko: Yes of course, we've definitely got to win. Lazio are good opponents so we'll need to play well and, above all, score more goals..
Who are your best friends in the team?
Yurchenko: I get on really well with everybody so there aren't any individual players.
04 fan questions - Thanks for joining in.
André Maier(via Facebook): What went through your mind when you scored your first Champions League goal against Monaco?
Yurchenko: It felt great and a dream that had come true. It was a really good night for me.
Gina Adii König (via Facebook): Why have you changed your shirt number?
Yurchenko: My birthday's on 22 January – that's why it's my new number.
Pascal Weinrich (via Facebook): Can you speak good German?
Yurchenko: No. (laughs) I want to but it's not that good as yet. I hope it'll improve.
Leandros Amaadacho (via Facebook): What was the name of your first club?
Yurchenko: I started in football at Mykolaiv, the town where I was born. I played there for six or seven years.

With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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Together with his family, friends and close associates, Bayer 04 Leverkusen bid farewell to Peter Hermann. The club’s long-serving assistant manager passed away on 19 September following a serious illness. Today, Thursday 8 October, Bayer 04 held an event attended by around 200 invited guests to commemorate Peter Hermann’s legacy. Representatives from the DFB and the other professional clubs where Hermann worked paid their respects to him at the BayArena.
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