The squad is now based in Sao Paulo, the venue for this crucial match. Brandt took time out to answer a few questions for DFB TV.
Julian, being in the semis sounds good – What’s your assessment of the Olympics so far?
Brandt: “It’s getting better and better. We got to off to a bumpy start but we picked it up with the game against Fiji (10-0, editor’s note). It must have boosted our confidence.”
It worked out well. The quarter-final brought a 4-0 win against Portugal.
Brandt: “Yes, that game showed everybody what our team can do. It was really good. I hope it gets even better against Nigeria.”
How do you think Wednesdays’ game will go?
Brandt: “Nigeria are strong up front, quick and their play is a bit crazy. I mean that as a positive as they often take risks. I’m looking forward to finding out all about them in the pre-match analysis. But I don’t think we need to be afraid of them.”
You’ve had the highest number of assists in the tournament so far. Are you saving your first goal for the semi-final?
Brandt: (laughs) “It would be great if I could score too but I’m happy with my role so far. I definitely want to beat Nigeria and I don’t care how we go through whether it’s a goal from me, my assist or even an own goal from the opposition if it has to be.
This fan meeting got off to a rather unexpected start. On Sunday afternoon, the Bayer 04 managing directors had just welcomed the fans present at the team hotel for the traditional get-together at the training camp when Fernando Carro’s phone rang. The CEO, glancing towards managing director sport Simon Rolfes with a smile, said: “We’ll just have to answer that quickly.” When asked by the fans what the call was actually about, the pair left it open with a wink. Instead, Carro and Rolfes then spent over an hour happily answering the fans’ many other questions.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of the 3-0 victory in the friendly match against Rot-Weiss Essen...
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