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.
A first win in the preseason: In the last friendly before the start of a two-week break in training, the Bayer 04 Women beat top-flight Dutch side Ajax 1-0. In the match played over three 30-minute thirds Vanessa Fudalla scored the goal for the Werkself. In the previous two friendlies this summer, the team led by head coach Roberto Pätzold lost 2-0 two Bundesliga rivals TSG Hoffenheim and drew 1-1 with the Dutch team PEC Zwolle.
Show moreAlejo Sarco has joined the Werkself training camp in Brazil. The 19-year-old striker, signed from Argentinian club Vélez Sarsfield in January, talks to bayer04.de about his first six months in Germany, help from Exequiel Palacios and his targets up to the end of the year.
Show moreThe friendly against the CR Flamengo U20 team on Friday, 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) represents the sporting highlight of the current Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Ahead of the clash at the Estádio da Gávea against the highly successful youth team, there was a media event with the two Bayer 04 managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes plus head coach Erik ten Hag. The trio talked about the forthcoming opponents, first impressions of Brazil and the reasons for holding the training camp in the land of the five-time World Cup winners. Here are the key statements.
Show moreDay three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Today, Thursday 17 July, sees the two new signings Jarell Quansah and Christian Kofane join the squad in training. Plus the former Werkself players Paulo Sergio and Rodrigo Chagas visit the Bayer AG Football School. In the afternoon there is a big media event ahead of the friendly against the Flamengo U20s. As usual, Bayer04.de keeps you up-to-date with on-the-spot reports. The blog for day three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour (timings given in local time).
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