Peter Bosz on...
...the international between Germany and the Netherlands: “It will definitely be fun. Two teams are playing each other where I know a number of the players. I'm assuming Germany will win. They are at home and strong in every position. Above all with Jona, Jule and Kai: If Joachim Löw plays the three of them then Holland don't stand a chance. (He says with a smile).”
...the Bayer 04 injury list: “With the exception of Joel Pohjanpalo, all the players have been training for the last three weeks. I'm happy about that. That meant we were able to do a lot in terms of fitness and our way of playing. Our tasks as coaches consists of being able to put the best players on the pitch, to continually improve their fitness and ensure they play well together. We're on the right path. The players are fresh and fit.”
...Daley Sinkgraven: “The pace of the game in the Bundesliga is higher than in the Eredivisie. He'll have to get used to that. You don't even have much time in training as I always expect 100 per cent from my players. They close down space and you have to think and act quickly. Daley is ready now. I never worried about signing him.”
...Sinkgraven's game: “Daley is a former attacker who moved back under me. He can be very aggressive and he has to be. At the same time he's a good player. He rarely loses possession and plays a good final ball. And he's also very consistent. He played the whole season under me at Ajax.”
...chances of playing for national teams at Bayer 04: “The example of Lucas Alario shows you can make yourself available for the national team here. It is possible. Lucas hasn't played for a long time but he earned his call up with good performances in the final stages of last season. The same applies to Wendell. I can't really judge how good the competition is in the Brazil team but I'm sure they follow his performances back home in Brazil.”
...Wendell's development: “It's crucial for him: He has to be focused. If he does that then he has great quality – both offensively and defensively. If he doesn't do that then he drops off and doesn't have the desire. As in the friendly against Watford. But his development is good. Absolutely. He looks more solid than in the second half of last season. I can't say whether that's linked to having Daley as competition or whether he feels the confidence of the coach now. And his German continues to improve. And it's good for him that he is now on the team committee. He's taking on more responsibility. For example, for Moussa Diaby. If you look at the two together then you get the impression that Wendell speaks French. (He laughs). He can’t actually speak a word… Of course, Wendell is a great guy. But the only thing that counts in the end is his performance on the pitch.”
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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To mark Exequiel Palacios’s departure, we’ve put together a compilation of the midfielder’s finest and most important goals from his six-and-a-half years at the club.
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