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.
A group of about 50 members of the Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo visited Leverkusen over the past few days, accompanied by Bayer 04 club legend Paulo Sergio and Luiz Felipe (managing director of academy in São Paulo) for a week full of football, encounters and very special insights. In addition to the Bundesliga away game in Elversberg and the home game against Union Berlin, the visit also featured a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy in Leverkusen and a tour of the Bayer AG facilities. The guests also gained special insights into the club and the world of Bayer 04.
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The men's clothing retailer LERROS will remain the official fashion and premium partner of Bayer 04 for the current season. As in the past, LERROS will provide the club's men's team, coaching staff and management with high-quality clothing for international trips.
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“Diaby! Diaby! Diaby!” was the cry around the BayArena as the Werkself danced in front of the north stand following their 4-0 win over Union Berlin. Captain Edmond Tapsoba gave his new (and old) teammate a friendly shove forward to take in the acclaim from the fans. The returning Frenchman was typically reserved in thanking the supporters but was clearly emotional about what was happening.
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Bayer 04 produced a dominant and impressive 4-0 win over Union Berlin as they picked up three points in their first home game of the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. Exequiel Fernández opened the scoring after only 41 seconds, with Facundo Medina doubling the lead before the half-hour mark. Patrik Schick and Ibrahim Maza continued the procession in the second period, in which Moussa Diaby came on for his first Leverkusen appearance for over three years.
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