Back
24.07.2020Bayer 04

Captain Lars Bender: The hunger is there

The first two sessions after the two-week break have been completed and the Werkself are slowly but surely returning to their usual training rhythm. The team under head coach Peter Bosz are preparing for the forthcoming second leg meeting with Glasgow Rangers in the Europa League Round of 16 on 6 August (kick-off: 18.55 CET). After the session on Friday morning, skipper Lars Bender answered questions from the media online on...

…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.

Related News

Trainingslager im Weimarer Land
Bayer 04 - 23.07.2026

Meet the legends, pub quiz and more: events fans can look forward to at the summer training camp

Plenty going on both on and off the pitch: The Bayer 04 fan support team has organised a number of highlights for fans visiting the Werkself 2026/27 summer training camp in Blankenhain, in the Weimarer Land region. Registration for the events is now open. All the details at a glance.

Show more
Paulina Platner, Ronny Schausten, Lilla Turanyi und Carolin Simon
Women - 23.07.2026

s2-Software remains Bayer 04 Women’s team sleeve sponsor

The Bayer 04 Leverkusen Women’s team and s2-Software are continuing their long-term partnership: The Werkself and the provider of pre-owned Microsoft licences have extended their contract by two years to 2028. This means s2-Software will remain the Bayer 04 sleeve sponsor for all matches in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga.

Show more
Partnerschaft der Bayer 04-Frauen mit BIOGENA
Women - 22.07.2026

BIOGENA new performance partner for Bayer 04 Women

BIOGENA is the new performance partner for the Bayer 04 Leverkusen Women’s team. Under a partnership initially set to run for three years, the club and the leading Austrian micronutrient company are pooling their expertise in the areas of health, fitness and top-level performance.

Show more
Kids-PK mit Janis Blaswich und Simeon Rapsch
Football Academy - 22.07.2026

‘I was a striker for a long time’: Kids’ press conference with Blaswich and Rapsch

100 children from the Bayer 04 Football Academy had the chance to gain exclusive insights: As part of the summer camp, the young footballers headed inside the BayArena at midday on Tuesday, 21 July, where they were due to meet Werkself keepers Janis Blaswich and Simeon Rapsch in the press conference room. The two players took plenty of time to answer every question from the inquisitive audience – whether it was about their own careers or their first impressions of the new head coach. Finally, there was even time left to sign autographs for the young fans.

Show more
Bayer 04 vs. Rot-Weiss EssenNach Jena-Absage: Bayer 04 testet am 1. August im UHS gegen Rot-Weiss Essen
Bayer 04 - 21.07.2026

Bayer 04 to play Rot-Weiss Essen on 1 August in rearranged friendly

Following the cancellation of Bayer 04’s scheduled friendly against Carl Zeiss Jena on 1 August, the Werkself have now found a new opponent for the same day and will host Rot-Weiss Essen of the 3. Liga at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. Kick-off is at 11:00 CEST and tickets are available now.

Show more