Bayer 04 Brazil Tour – Sarco: ‘I’m learning every day and I feel good’

Alejo, you joined Bayer 04 from Vélez Sarsfield in the winter of 2025. A big step for teenager. What's your start in Germany been like?

Sarco: I had a lot of contact beforehand with Argentinians living in Europe. They told me it's not an easy move. Above all, when you're so young. But I try to spend a lot of time with my family and my friends here. That's the most important thing if you're so far away from home. My family and my girlfriend take turns visiting me so I'm not alone. That really helps me.

Now you are with the first team at the training camp. What targets have you set yourself for the new season?

Sarco: The start of the preseason is very important for me. I want to show my best possible side. In the first six months in Leverkusen it was about settling in and adapting – to German football, life in Europe, a new language and a new culture. Now I'm really keen to develop on the pitch and I'm very much looking forward to the next stage.

What are your sporting targets up to the end of the year?

Sarco: I'd like to fully focus on the preseason and give my all. I want to help the team and get minutes on the pitch. That's the target for the next six months and I'll work hard for that.

Bayer 04 fans do not know too much about you. What sort of striker would you call yourself?

Sarco: I'm not a static number nine. I really like to press or play diagonal balls, move a lot and take part in the game. Julián Álvarez is currently the best example of that style. I watch a lot of his games and I like the way he plays a lot. But independent of my style, I want to improve as a player at all levels and win games. Listen and learn – that's the typical Argentinian mentality to grow. And that's what I'm doing at the moment.

How's it looking with the language, and have you learned a bit of German to help you communicate better?

Sarco: I went on a German course after arriving and I can speak a few words. But it's really difficult to learn German so at the moment I’m focusing more on learning English as that's more important for me in the team and it helps me more. I've made big steps forward and I can converse a bit now. I'm happy about that because I didn't speak any English at all when I was in Argentina.

Do you feel you've developed with your move to Bayer 04?

Sarco: I feel much more mature since my arrival in January. Going to Europe at this age is an enormous help in your personal development, above all in a country like Germany. I think I'm very clear in my head. Away from football, we players are normal people with everyday problems that everybody has. But I'm learning more things day by day and I feel good.

One advantage is definitely having an experienced fellow countrymen in the team like Exequiel Palacios…

Sarco: It's always important to have another Argentinian in the team. (He laughs) It's great to hear someone speak your language every day. Pala has helped me a lot in settling in and adapting here. We all know what a great player he is, he has won the World Cup, the Copa Libertadores and the Copa América. But he's also a great person who helps me a lot on and off the pitch – as do the other Spanish-speaking players.

This year's preseason has started in Brazil. Do you like preparing for the new season on your home continent?

Sarco: It's really good starting the preseason here. Being so close to Argentina it almost feels like coming home. As a child I was on holiday here with my parents but never as a football player. Brazil is a country where football is everywhere. I'm happy to be here with Bayer 04.

Is the rivalry in football between Brazil and Argentina palpable?

Sarco: Whenever we played each other for youth national teams it was always lively and there was always friction. But it's always good to compare yourself to Brazil. They are big rivals and we look forward to the rivalry. But there are never problems on a personal level, that doesn't come into play here. (He laughs)