Karim, how are you all feeling heading to Dortmund?
Bellarabi: We had a couple of days off last weekend and were all able to recover to some extent. We worked well in training this week and the last few weeks have gone very well overall. Therefore, we are going into this game full of confidence. Nevertheless, we also know it will be a very difficult and exciting match against a strong team.
Two of the three best attacking sides in the Bundesliga meet in BVB (52 goals) against the Werkself (49 goals). Can the fans of both teams expect a goal fest?
Bellarabi: Games against Dortmund are always special. They are actually very similar to us and we have a lot of quick players too. Therefore, I believe it will be exciting right to the end.
It's second against third. What could make the difference in the end?
Bellarabi: We'll see. In games like that it's mostly the little things. We always give 100 per cent and we have our plan. We went to implement that as well as we can and for as long as possible.
To what extent do you have a score to settle with BVB after the 4-3 defeat earlier in the season?
Bellarabi: That was an intense match but I can remember it exactly. Of course, this time we want to end up with the three points.
You are the only player in the current Werkself squad to have won at Dortmund. Did you know that?
Bellarabi: That's the first time I've heard that. I hope a couple of my teammates can follow suit on Sunday. (He laughs) It's absolutely of secondary importance if I'm responsible for that. We want to achieve more as a team and play with high intensity. What happened in the past or happens in the future is irrelevant at the moment.
To finish with, tell us about your personal highlight against BVB.
Bellarabi: That's easy – obviously my goal after nine seconds. (He laughs) It was a very special game back then. It was the first Bundesliga match under Roger Schmidt and we had lots of plans at the start of the season. We faced a very strong opponent in Dortmund but we’d actually planned to get on the front foot early and take a risk. The fact it worked straightaway was obviously brilliant.
While there are no Bundesliga fixtures during international break, last weekend brought overweight fans from 16 first, second and third tier sides together on the pitch in Leverkusen. Over 200 participants in the health promotion programme 'Football fans in training' (FFIT), organised by Deutsche Krebshilfe (the German cancer support organisation) and the Institute for Therapy and Health Research (IFT-Nord) accepted the invitation from Bayer 04 and Deutsche Krebshilfe on 12 October for the 2024 XXL fans tournament.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have extended their sponsorship portfolio with the addition of another supporter in the Business Club. GMS Giganetz GmbH and the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal winners have agreed a partnership to 30 June 2026.
Show moreWerkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-1 draw at SV Werder Bremen on matchday 6 of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga 2024/25...
Show moreA special stage for women's football: When the Bayer 04 Women's team face Werder Bremen on Saturday, 12 October (kick-off: 14.00 CEST), the team led by coach Roberto Pätzold will play in front of an unusually large crowd. 19,000 tickets have already been sold for the big match at the Weserstadion.
Show more