Karim, you’ve announced the end of your time at the club after twelve years today. How does it feel now you’ve made that decision?
Karim: When you make a decision like that then it’s something you’ve thought about for a long time. I’ve played football all my life. I’ve been to training every day since I was six. After twelve years at Leverkusen, I feel grateful that I’ve had such a great time here. We’ll see if it carries on in the same way but it’s a great change that is exciting but also very emotional for me. I definitely won’t carry on playing in Germany. It wouldn’t feel right having to play against Leverkusen.
The semi-final second leg is the most important game in the club’s history for over 20 years. What does the game mean to Bayer 04 and for you?
Karim: We as a team, and everybody who is part of Bayer 04, feel that it’s a very special situation and that anything is possible. We are so close to achieving something really great together. Everybody is aware of that. I can’t play but I’m also highly motivated, will obviously be there and I will play my part so that we can all go to the final together.
The euphoria has been evident for weeks throughout the club, with the team and the fans. There was an incredible reception from the fans at the Europa League quarter-final home game against Union Saint-Gilloise (1-1), brilliant choreography, thousands of fans have followed the team away wherever they’ve been and you were also celebrated after the Europa League quarter-final win at Union Saint-Gilloise in Brussels (4-1). How have you seen the support over recent weeks?
Karim: It’s actually striking how positive the support has been in all of the last few months but it has developed throughout the year. We feel the support from the fans, we are as one – on good and bad days. It’s a very special and very warm-hearted relationship. Above all for me when they sing my song (he laughs). I will miss those moments.
