Bayer 04 Brazil Tour – Day 8 blog: Practice match, school visit, city reception for Carro and Co.

+++ 22 July, 20.54: City of Rio reception for Bayer 04 at the Palácio das Laranjeiras +++

On the final evening in Rio de Janeiro, a small Bayer 04 delegation led by CEO Fernando Carro, managing director sport Simon Rolfes and club legend Paulo Sergio received an invitation from the city to the Palácio das Laranjeiras (Palace of Orange Trees). This is the official residence of the governor of the federal state of Rio de Janeiro. The palace was built between 1909 and 1913 for the industrialist Eduardo Guinle in an opulent style of French architecture, and from 1947 it was the residence of the Brazilian president until the capital was relocated in 1960. Nicola Miccione, secretary of state for the Civil House, received the Leverkusen delegation together with high-ranking representatives of the state of Rio de Janeiro in the palatial entrance hall and then led the group into the impressive rooms.

Miccione: "The welcome for your team here was a milestone. This connection should and will be maintained in the coming years. When you leave Rio de Janeiro you always take something with you. Our city is a symbol of Brazil's hospitality and the passion for football. From now on Rio is also your home and you are welcome here at any time." During a guided tour, particularly impressive were the Carrara marble, the stucco decorations, painted glass, the Venetian parquet floors plus furniture and works of art. The high points included the music room with a grand piano in the style of Marie Antoinette.

In addition to all these unique items and the official jersey presentation, Carro found emotional words to round off the evening and the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour: "It's very special to have the opportunity to be able to be in this wonderful and historic building. You can feel the history of Brazil. I would like to thank the city of Rio de Janeiro as I know that they have very much helped us with lots of things we have done this week. I know that many things would not have been possible without that help. We felt at home in Rio and this week has further strengthened the existing deep and special bond between Brazil and Bayer 04."

+++ 22 July, 16.52: Delegation visits German School +++

While the Werkself players faced the media in the afternoon, a small delegation led by Luiz Felipe, the son of Paulo Sergio and technical director of the recently opened Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo, visited the German School in Rio de Janeiro, which is in the district of Botafogo between Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain and Copacabana Beach. On the football pitch in front of the school building, 70 children had an afternoon full of fun and joy with a view of the modern wonder of the world.

Impressions of the session, the words of Luiz Felipe on the event plus a nice anecdote on a pair of toucans living in a tree by the football pitch can be found HERE in the full article.

+++ 22 July, 13.02: Hofmann and Adli score in practice match +++

The last session at the Flamengo training ground is over. After a thorough warm-up routine, the lads took part in an high-intensity practice match. The training group split into two teams for a game played in three 20-minute thirds.

In the first and second thirds it was predominantly first team against youth team players, and mixed teams played each other in the final third. Up to the last minutes of this third neither defence gave anything away but then Jonas Hofmann gave his team the lead, Amine Adli levelled for his side shortly after that – final score 1-1.

It’s back to the hotel for the players now. After lunch, a few players have interviews with the media. Insights and statements to follow.

+++ 22 July, 10.32: Bom dia from Ninho do Urubu +++

So, here we are! Players, coaches and staff have arrived at the training ground. The departure was earlier today as head coach Erik ten Hag wanted to hold a brief team meeting before the training session. Then it’s straight onto the pitch.

+++ 22 July, 09.04: The penultimate day begins +++

Greetings from Rio! Today is the penultimate day on the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. And it starts in the usual way: The lads have breakfast then it’s onto the bus to the CR Flamengo training ground. See you there!