…the busy fixture list in the past and coming months: Everything has lacked rhythm over the past few weeks and it hasn't always been easy mentally. Now we have to focus completely on the next task. And that's the Europa League. We have to look at this competition on its own separated from what's happened and what's coming next.
…the target in Europa League: It's about winning a title. The hunger is there, the passion is there. We want to play ourselves in and develop over the games so that we can perhaps get through to another final this season. But first of all there's a challenge against Glasgow (Rangers) and we want to come out on top in that game.
…the international competition, which is partly still involved in league matches up to August and will go into the Europa League after several double fixture weeks: It can be an advantage to be on a run of games. But it can also be an advantage to have had two weeks holiday. We'll see. We see the opportunity to recover as an advantage to us. The break was important and we needed it. And now we are preparing as best as possible for the coming challenges.
…the coming season with a lot more double-fixture weeks in view of his history of injuries: Unfortunately it hit me again this season. That's why I don't want to look too far into the future. We are facing a tough programme – as is everybody. I'm trying to strengthen myself through the games in the Europa League so that I can go into the coming season with a good feeling. There's also a short timescale with this. So you don't really know how far into the future you should look. The best thing is to take it week by week.
…the transfer rumours surrounding Kai Havertz: It was clear to all of us that the speculation about Kai would increase over the course of the season. At the moment, it is the case that he’ll play for us in the Europa League and I assume he'll put in good performances again. There are definitely discussions with different clubs and perhaps he's already made a decision. But that's not the end of the matter. It hasn't changed anything for us players: He's part of our team and we are glad to have him.
The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed France U17 international Kenan Doganay. The 1.90-metre-tall defensive midfielder, who has Turkish roots, joins Leverkusen from the U19s at French top-flight club Olympique Lyon. He will initially train with and play for the U19 team.
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The Sports Tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) has fined Bayer 04 Leverkusen €185,000 for spectators setting off pyrotechnic devices during a total of five competitive matches. This relates to four Bundesliga matches and the DFB Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich. The highest individual fine relates to the away match at FC Köln at the end of April.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 goalkeeper Simeon Rapsch. The Germany youth international goalkeeper has signed a long-term contract with the Werkself running to 30 June 2029. The 18-year-old joined Leverkusen from FC Viktoria Köln in the summer of 2024.
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