Around 700 fans attended the Werkself open training session at the start of the second week of the Easter holidays. While the players who started in the 1-1 draw at FC St. Pauli completed a reduced set of drills and were able to dedicate themselves earlier than the other players to meeting the wishes of the fans for autographs and photos, head coach Xabi Alonso continued leading the training session including practising moves in restricted spaces. Afterwards, Robert Andrich, Victor Boniface and Co. signed shirts and posters for the supporters.
Amine Adli fielded questions from the media following the training session. The 24-year-old declared: "Of course, we are not at all happy with the result and the way we played against St. Pauli, that's absolutely clear. Unfortunately there can be weaker phases like that over the course of the season from time to time." And he added: "We know how good we can be and we want to end the season as well as we can. We will work hard on that and give our all!"
The striker also shared his views on his own position: "I continue to feel very happy and I always give everything for the club, my teammates and our fans."
After the interviews, the 15-time Morocco international Adli congratulated his fellow countryman Nassim El Massoudi, from the Bayer 04 U17 squad, on winning the U17 Africa Cup of Nations: "I followed the games with excitement and was really happy about the win. I'm very proud of Nassim and his teammates and they have made a whole country proud! I hope we see each other again soon here at the BayArena and I wish him all the best for his future!" The Morocco youth team beat Mali on penalties in the final a few days ago.
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The remaining training sessions before the home game against FC Augsburg on Saturday, 20 April (kick-off: 15:30 CEST) will be held behind closed doors. The training session on Sunday at 11:00 CEST is open to fans (subject to change without prior notice).
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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