Ahead of the first match in the second half of the season in Berlin on Saturday, 8 January (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Robert Andrich talked to the media on Wednesday about…
…his thoughts ahead of the match: I’m really looking forward to seeing familiar faces – including players, coaching and other staff. I would have liked to welcome the travelling fans from Berlin alongside our own. Unfortunately, that’s not possible due to the current situation.
…the position on the pitch ahead of the clash between the teams lying fourth and seventh in the Bundesliga: We had the chance to get a breather over Christmas and now we’re starting again straightaway with a cracker. For us, it will be about standing up to Union’s physical and battling approach from the first minute and showing our quality on the pitch.
…the development of the team from Berlin, now in their third season in the Bundesliga since being promoted to Germany’s top flight in the summer of 2019: Union are having a very decent season as expected. They have also dealt very with playing in Europe (in the Europa League for the first time, ed.). Now you can say they are an established part of the Bundesliga. A key role is played by their coach Urs Fischer. Week by week, he succeeds in getting his lads onto the pitch as a unit regardless of which players are available. That’s typical of Union.
…his current relationship with its former Union Berlin teammates: I had two great years at Union and definitely didn't leave under a cloud. Although there's no regular contact any more, you don't forget about it. I've sent messages to Urs Fischer from time to time and congratulated him on wins in Europe and the derby victory against Hertha. I'm also in contact with Niko Gießelmann.
…The differences and parallels between the Union and Leverkusen styles of play: Of course, we want to have more of the ball and be proactive in the game. But one thing the two sides have in common is the great significance of compact defending and fast transition.
…his role in the Werkself squad: I try to take my teammates with me in my way. I think I can encourage one or two with the way I express myself, either one-to-one or in front of the whole team. It's completely normal to be louder at times. That's part and parcel of it. We are just trying to make every player better. We have so many lads with incredible potential. So it's a case of teasing it out of every individual player.
…aggression on the pitch: We have to be smarter in challenges in certain situations. Fouls are part of football. We have to be more more direct and aggressive. We've talked about it and hopefully that's clear to everybody.
The team departs for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Monday for the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour 2025 from July 14-24. The preseason journey marks a change from recent training camps in the Austrian Alps and Black Forest and we caught up with CEO Fernando Carro to ask him about this summer's visit to Brazil.
Show moreMalik Tillman and the USA could not quite achieve the hoped-for big win in their own country. Last Monday’s final in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Houston ended up in a 2-1 defeat for the hosts against Mexico. But the Bayer 04 new signing can be very happy with the course of the tournament and his own performances. Tillman was in the starting line-up for all six games. That concluded an impressive season for him after winning the Eredivisie title in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven. Bayer04.de profiles the 23-year-old new signing.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the USA international Malik Tillman. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder joins the Werkself from Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven. Tillman, with German roots and born in Nuremberg, has a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2030. He scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 34 games for PSV last season. Three of those goals and two assists were in six matches in the UEFA Champions League.
Show moreThe second friendly and the first goal for the Bayer 04 Women: The Werkself just missed out on their first win in the preseason away to top-flight Dutch side PEC Zwolle. The team led by coach Roberto Pätzold drew 1-1 on Friday afternoon in Wezep. As with the friendly against TSG Hoffenheim (0-2) a number of first-team players were absent. The coach once again shared out time on the pitch for the 20-player squad. The goal of the match was scored by summer signing Vanessa Fudalla (67').
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