“These two agreements again demonstrates our desire to retain key players as a cornerstone of a success-oriented and competitive team,” declared CEO Michael Schade. “After being able to strengthen our squad we wanted to set down another marker with these two important players.”
For sporting director Rudi Völler the contract extensions with Bellarabi and Wendell are a clear signal for the future development at Bayer 04: “Both had offers from financially-strong clubs but they were always key players in our plans,” said Völler. “We’re happy we were able to convince Karim and Wendell of our plans and that they feel so committed to Bayer 04. They are players with extraordinary ability and excellent characters; they are very good for our team.”
Bellarabi: “The best is still to come”
Bellarabi’s development into a regular first choice and one of the best Bundesliga players in his position is closely related to the special relationship with the sporting management and the coach Roger Schmidt in particular. “I always felt I was relied on especially when the going got tough. I became an international here at Leverkusen and I’ve got the chance here to get myself noticed for Germany again,” said Bellarabi. “I feel the best is still to come for us as a team and I definitely want to be part of it.”
And Wendell sees the possibility of his personal development at the Werkself: “I really feel at home in this team and I think we can achieve things on the pitch in the future. Bayer 04 is a club where I can regularly play in the Champions League,” said the 23-year-old who wants to be in the running for the Brazil squad. “I’ve got everything a player could want here.”
Bayern Munich come to the BayArena this Saturday with an 11-point lead in the Bundesliga as they look to take a step closer to the title. As imperious as they may seem, a weakness has emerged of late that the Werkself proved they can exploit in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the Champions League. Leverkusen are also looking to make it four Bundesliga home games unbeaten against the Bavarians. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the 15:30 CET kick-off in our matchday news.
Show more
Another home game, another top opponent - another marker? Three days after their convincing performance in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg, Bayer 04 continue their Bundesliga campaign with an equally high-calibre fixture. Matchday 26 sees league leaders Bayern Munich visit the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the clash, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about a comparison between Arsenal and the Bavarians, Bayern's high-scoring performance in Europe's premier club competition and a return to the squad for one Werkself player.
Show more
High spirits and previously untold stories: Around 100 Bayer 04 fans packed the Schwadbud fan pub in the east stand of the BayArena on Thursday evening to be there in person for the first instalment of the new series of events entitled “Rudi lädt ein” (Rudi invites you). They listened intently as long-serving Werkself players Gonzalo Castro and Stefan Kießling chatted with record appearance-maker Rüdiger Vollborn and presenter and stadium announcer Tobias Ufer about their many years together at the club, shared amusing anecdotes and revealed dressing room secrets. Anyone who missed the premiere can already look forward to the second instalment – on 12 May, Rudi will be testing the expert knowledge of Bayer 04 fans during a quiz night.
Show more
The Bundesliga home game against VfL Wolfsburg in the first half of the season was one of those classic ‘days to forget’ for Bayer 04 Women. It started with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll being shown a red card in the first minute of the game, and following a further sending-off, coach Roberto Pätzold's 9-women side ended up losing 5-1 to last season's runners-up. At 18.30 CET on Sunday, they'll have the chance to exact revenge at the AOK Stadium - and pick up valuable points in the race for third place.
Show more
They're well on their way to becoming German champions for the 35th time and once again proved their incredible class in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. This Saturday, 14 March (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayern Munich will be the visitors to the BayArena. It'll be a meeting of the two Bundesliga teams with the most dominant styles of play. A look at our opponents shows the visitors from the Bavarian capital have many strengths - but are also vulnerable.
Show more
