Alejandro, what are your first impressions of the club and the surroundings?
Grimaldo: I'm very happy to finally be here. I've been able to get to know everybody in the past few days and I’ve had a great reception. Up to now, I get on very well with Gustavo Puerta above all as he also speaks Spanish. But the Spanish-speaking colleagues amongst the staff have made it easy for me to settle in. Now I’ll use the preseason to get used to everything – both on and off the pitch. Over time, I also want to improve my English and learn German of course (he laughs).
You played for Benfica for the past few years, also a very attractive club. What persuaded you to join Bayer 04?
Grimaldo: The club and Xabi (head coach Xabi Alonso, ed.) himself showed great interest me for a long while and they took time out for a lot of talks with me. They made me feel positive and conveyed great confidence. I felt the positive energy from Xabi in the first few days I was here. The energy, he used to have on the pitch, is now transmitted to us. He also has a clear approach to football. He really is a top coach.
You scored an impressive 27 goals in your time in Lisbon as a left-back. What are your plans and targets for the new season?
Grimaldo: I think I can make the difference up front and at the back – with assists and with goals. Also I want to be a leader. That's a role I've always had in my previous teams. I'd like to help my team step up in quality. At the end of the day, I'll always try my best to implement what the coach asks and expects of me – regardless of my position.
The new Bayer 04 home shirt for the new season has come out this week. How do you like it?
Grimaldo: I think it's really great. The significance of the cross on the chest has been explained to me. I think they've done really well with the background and the connection of the club to the fans and the city
Get the new home shirt now: HERE from the online shop.
Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
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Assistant coach Remzi Kahraman is leaving the Bayer 04 Women’s team with immediate effect to take up a new challenge abroad. The club has agreed to the 31-year-old’s request to leave, although his contract was originally due to run until 2027. A decision on his successor will be announced shortly.
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At the U19 European Championship in Wales, the Germany U19 national team lost their third and final group match 4-0 to Spain. Several regulars, including Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan to SV Elversberg), who had combined for four goals and assists in the two previous victories, did not feature,. Germany had already secured their place in the semi-finals with a game to spare.
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Two weeks into the preseason, the Bayer 04 Women have secured their first victory. Coach Roberto Pätzold’s team won their first friendly 2–0 against Bundesliga newcomers Mainz 05. In front of 160 spectators at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, the two summer signings, Maja Sternad (80’) and Justine Brandau (90’), scored for the Black and Reds.
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