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.
There won’t just be plenty of excitement on the pitch as Bayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena at 18:30 CET on Saturday. Outside the stadium there will be collection points for food donations to the Leverkusen Foodbank, which will also benefit from the profits of a jersey raffle in the Fanwelt afterwards. There will also be a minute’s silence before kick-off following the passing of long-time Werkself player Dieter Herzog, before two fan clubs are honoured for their decades-long support at half-time and fans receive a talk about Orange Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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Bayer 04 go into the first of two successive clashes with Borussia Dortmund boosted by their Champions League win at Manchester City. Ahead of the Bundesliga top match on Saturday, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the tight schedule, BVB's strengths and returning squad members.
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Borussia Dortmund are doing very well in terms of points and results in the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. BVB have only suffered two defeats to date this term. Now coach Niko Kovac's team are away to the Werkself on Saturday night, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET) in the top match on Bundesliga matchday 12. The two teams meet again three days later in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie in Dortmund. Two very competitive encounters are on the cards. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The Bayer 04 Women clcoked up a 3-2 win in a friendly against Twente Enschede on Thursday afternoon in the last international break of 2025. In drizzle, Lilla Turanyi (16’), Kristin Kögel (65’) and Paulina Bartz (69’) scored the goals for the Werkself against the Dutch Eredivisie Vrouwen leaders, who are still unbeaten in the league.
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