Sadik, first of all congratulations belatedly on your 19th birthday. What was the day like for you?
Fofana: Thank you. It definitely wasn't a normal birthday for me. Germany is a few hours ahead so I already had lots of messages from home before my birthday here. And, to be honest: Not everyone can say they had their 19th birthday in Mexico. (He laughs)
Are there any traditions in the team you have to adhere to?
Fofana: Yes, the birthday boy traditionally runs through a guard of honour formed by the other players. Of course, I had to do that at the training session on Monday. But I was particularly happy to do it given the location.
Was there a birthday song?
Fofana: Actually I was supposed to do a serenade. But not because of my birthday but rather as a newcomer. Fortunately the others were particularly interested in that subject. (He laughs) But if they say something then I'll be happy to give the lads a speech – singing isn't my thing.
Aourir: Sadik is really good at giving speeches anyway.
Your season with the U19s was already finished…
Aourir: We had time off from training after our last game with the U19s. At school on Friday I got a call from Stefan Kießling saying I'd be flying off to Mexico two days later. I was really happy about that.
Fofana: Last week I trained on my own at the Performance Centre. On Wednesday I was supposed to send my photo to the club for my passport and on Friday I got the call with the explanation.
What was the highlight of the #Bayer04MexicoTour for you two?
Aourir: Definitely the game in Toluca. The atmosphere at the stadium was fantastic. When I got onto the pitch it was even louder and more impressive than it was outside. It felt like I was aware of every individual fan in the stand.
You also had other events around the game. What were they like?
Fofana: The media attention and the interest from the fans are obviously something quite new for us two. What I'll particularly remember was the visit to the Bayer Works. All the employees wanted to have photographs with us and our autographs. Once or twice I had to look to the more experienced lads to see what I was supposed to do.
Have your teammates from the U19s contacted you in the past days and asked you what you thought of Mexico?
Aourir: Yes, all of them actually. They all congratulated us on playing in the game on our team group on Snapchat and also told us what's happening in training with U19s at the moment. It feels good to know we all continue to get on and that nobody’s jealous or the like.
Fofana: We’re a very tight group in the U19s. When we have days off we don't go out to eat in twos or threes but rather with nine or ten of us together.
The summer break comes now after the #Bayer04MexicoTour. What are your plans?
Aourir: I've still got three weeks of school and then we're back in training with the U19s. I'll definitely fly south in the holidays.
Fofana: I'll wait and see what happens.
In the first episode of the new interview series "A New Chapter", Werkself defender Jarell Quansah reflects on his first few months under the Cross and speaks about his journey from England to Leverkusen. Having come through the ranks at Liverpool, a new chapter began for Quansah in the summer at Bayer 04 — with new objectives, fresh challenges and much ambition. In the video, the centre-back speaks about his development as a player and person, about the courage to leave your own comfort zone, and about what it means for him to be part of an international team in a different country. Honest, reflective and full of motivation — just like the start of his Werkself career.
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Due to the last-minute postponement of the Bundesliga match between Hamburg and the Werkself on Tuesday, 13 January, Bayer 04 will reimburse the ticket price to all 3,500 fans who had already travelled to Hamburg as a sign of appreciation. The tickets remain valid for the rescheduled match (date not yet set).
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