16.04.2025Bayer 04

A busy day at the BayArena: Xhaka at kids press conference – Tella faces the media

The Easter holidays enticed a large number of Bayer 04 fans to come to the training ground at the BayArena, today Wednesday 16 April, to watch the Werkself at an open training session in the afternoon. Afterwards, the players and head coach Xabi Alonso took time out to sign autographs and pose for photographs. And there was a lot going on besides: While midfield maestro Granit Xhaka fielded questions at an entertaining children's press conference, including the story behind his squad number 34, Nathan Tella faced the media.

The fans waited around 90 minutes at the training ground for the Werkself players to secure sought-after autographs or selfies.

After the training session, Granit Xhaka was involved in another special activity: the now traditional children's press conference at the Bayer 04 Soccer School. Xhaka, who received rapturous applause in a packed out press conference room, revealed to the 100 youngsters present that teammate Jeremie Frimpong was "by far" the funniest teammate in the dressing room and that the winner in the 1-0 victory in the 2024 DFB Pokal final against FC Kaiserslautern ranks amongst the best and most important goals of his career, which he "will not forget in a hurry."

why Xhaka wears number 34

The Switzerland international also revealed to the children why he wears the number 34 jersey: "I always used to travel to training sessions in Basel on the number 34 bus route. When I was allowed to choose a squad number at Basel there were five available including 34. I took that number – and I still like wearing it today."

On winning the Bundesliga title last season, the midfield maestro said: "Sometimes I still can't believe it. Particularly as the way we won – unbeaten – was so special. There were very many beautiful emotions last year. We all knew the history of the club and the wait of 120 years. It was incredible – for us, for the club and for the fans."

Tella faces the media: "We'll definitely keep going!"

While Granit Xhaka brought great joy to the children at the Bayer 04 Soccer School with his remarks, Nathan Tella spoke to a small group of the media after the training session: "We are focused on the remaining games. I will remain positive and confident as long as it's still mathematically possible. We'll definitely keep going and give our all!"

On his time at Bayer 04 to date, he said: "I received a really good reception at Leverkusen. I got off to a rather slow start here and it took a while to find my feet. Now I’ve found my position, I feel really good and I see my future here at Bayer 04. Coming here was definitely good for my own development."

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