…his first impressions at Bayer 04: Up to now it has all been very positive. There are lots of new faces and names that I'll have to get used to – sometimes I have to ask again. (He laughs) Mitchell Weiser and Joel Pohjanpalo are two players I know from the past. I often used to play against Mitch in the youth teams because we were both born in 1994. Also I played alongside him in the Germany youth team. And I know Joel from last season at Union.
…the background to his shirt number: As a football player you always think about which player had the number before you. Lars Bender (twelve years at Bayer 04 and now honorary captain, ed.) had an incredible career at this club. But I'm not putting myself under any massive pressure because of that. The number just fits in with my position in central midfield. I'll try to fill the role as a number eight in my way and hope that I'm as successful as possible.
…the qualities he's brought with him: I believe I can help the team with my mentality – that's what I'm clearly striving for. My aim is to get everybody on board and to be there for my teammates both on and off the pitch.
…his career to date: I always had the target of playing in the Bundesliga. Fortunately I've managed to achieve that by a circuitous route – which did me good in terms of my development. When I heard that Bayer 04 were interested I was really up for it. I've always seen Leverkusen as a likeable club. And Bayer 04 stand for successful attacking football.
…his personal targets with the Werkself: Leverkusen are among the top clubs in the Bundesliga. The target for Bayer 04 must always be to aim for the Champions League spots. And we'll do that this season too. For me, it kicks off with a great game against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday. 18.30, floodlights – I'm really looking forward to it!
With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
Show more
A successful fourth preseason friendly ahead of the start of the training camp: The Werkself secured a 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The goals in what was a commanding and dominant performance by Leverkusen from the outset were scored by Ibrahim Maza (8'), Patrik Schick from the penalty spot (23’) and, in the second half, Montrell Culbreath with a header (79’). The team set off for their training camp in Blankenhain in the Weimarer Land region after the game.
Show more
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personal Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
Show more
You have voted – your ‘Team of the Quarter-Century’ has been decided! This historic selection, covering the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2024, features honorary captains, Bundesliga champions, double winners and Champions League finalists. Edmond Tapsoba is the only player from the current Bayer 04 squad to make it into the starting XI, while his team-mate Patrik Schick is on the bench. Simon Rolfes, the current managing director sport, is also in the lie-up. A truly special team that brings together a quarter of a century of Bayer 04 history – and has left a decisive mark on the club.
Show more
Following Patrik Schick, Mark Flekken, Ibrahim Maza and Kerim Alajbegovic earlier this week, the next World Cup participant is back on the training ground in Leverkusen: On Thursday 30 July, Malik Tillman rejoined the squad, completing his first training session under head coach Carles Martínez.
Show more
