…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!
Bayer 04 Women have their second straight home game as they close out Matchday 5 in the Google Pixel Bundesliga against Carl Zeiss Jena on Monday. Kick-off at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion is at 6pm CEST, with head coach Roberto Pätzold expecting a defensive-minded opponent while his team look to continue their good form.
Show moreBayer 04 host Bundesliga newcomers at the BayArena for Matchday 6 on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST) in a game where the club will mark its 120th anniversary with a special-edition kit. Speaking at his press conference ahead of the game, Xabi Alonso talked about how his team will approach the fixture with the right mentality and required respect for the opposition.
Show moreThe German double winners’ special-edition jersey to mark the club’s 120th anniversary is reminiscent of the first kit worn by players back in the 1907/08 season. The jersey, which the Werkself will wear for the Bundesliga home game against Holstein Kiel on Saturday, 5 October and which has been met with enthusiasm by the players, has numerous special features relating to the club's history, including an NFC chip that leads to exclusive content when scanned with a smartphone.
Show moreBundesliga debutants Holstein Kiel come to the BayArena on Saturday, 5 October (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST) looking to improve on their defensive record up against the Werkself after a tough start to the season. No team has conceded more goals so far than the promoted side. Learn more about our next opponents here…
Show moreVanessa Haim became Bayer 04 Women's sixth summer signing shortly before the start of the training camp in Poland. Around two months after her arrival in Leverkusen, the 27-year-old tells bayer04.de about her move under the Cross and her former job as a teacher.
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