Lukas Hradecky on…
…his summer holiday after the Nations League matches with Finland: I stayed in Finland after the internationals, was then in Slovakia and France because Joel (teammate and fellow countrymen Pohjanpalo, ed.) got married there. I followed Finnish football a bit during the holiday and watched a couple of my brother’s games. It did me good physically and mentally to switch off a bit. I would have been happy to spend another week away but I'm also happy to be back.
…his first session at the BayArena: I completed my first performance tests yesterday and also spoke to the coach. But I know for myself: I always need seven to ten days before I get really fit again. Next week's training camp is coming at just the right time.
…the training camp in Salzburger Land: I'm looking forward to it. The location is great and the training pitches are good too. And, of course, we're playing against two good opponents in Panathinaikos and Udinese. They will be exciting matches.
…the current Werkself squad: The coach is very happy with the current situation and the physical condition of the players. One or two are still missing but everybody is fit so far – and I'm very happy about that too. There were still a few question marks at this time in the last preseason. There are a few less today. But that's also good. We can see what's on the fixture list and we need every individual player. Therefore, it is important that everybody completes the whole preseason.
…big moments of the coming season: I'm obviously very much looking forward to the Champions League. The last Champions League season wasn’t satisfactory to me. This season I want to be a safe pair of hands in that competition. I'm not a fan of training so I'm looking forward to the many busy weeks on the pitch.
…targets for the forthcoming season: I think we performed particularly well in the last Rückrunde and that showed us we can compete with the big teams. We want to compete for the top positions again in the new season.
…the support of Bayer 04 fans: After the coronavirus break, we saw how our fans were happy to finally be back in the stadium. And even if there are one or two defeats they support us before and after the game as much as they can. We have to remain united to master the challenges. We get on with each other really well and I obviously hope we can play in front of a full house in the coming season.
…his personal contract situation: There's nothing new at the moment. Simon Rolfes and I had our first good discussions in Mexico but nothing more during my holiday. We'll sit down again in peace and quiet and then see what happens. I think Bayer 04 want to keep me and I'm in a good frame of mind.
A first win in the preseason: In the last friendly before the start of a two-week break in training, the Bayer 04 Women beat top-flight Dutch side Ajax 1-0. In the match played over three 30-minute thirds Vanessa Fudalla scored the goal for the Werkself. In the previous two friendlies this summer, the team led by head coach Roberto Pätzold lost 2-0 two Bundesliga rivals TSG Hoffenheim and drew 1-1 with the Dutch team PEC Zwolle.
Show moreAlejo Sarco has joined the Werkself training camp in Brazil. The 19-year-old striker, signed from Argentinian club Vélez Sarsfield in January, talks to bayer04.de about his first six months in Germany, help from Exequiel Palacios and his targets up to the end of the year.
Show moreThe friendly against the CR Flamengo U20 team on Friday, 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) represents the sporting highlight of the current Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Ahead of the clash at the Estádio da Gávea against the highly successful youth team, there was a media event with the two Bayer 04 managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes plus head coach Erik ten Hag. The trio talked about the forthcoming opponents, first impressions of Brazil and the reasons for holding the training camp in the land of the five-time World Cup winners. Here are the key statements.
Show moreDay three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Today, Thursday 17 July, sees the two new signings Jarell Quansah and Christian Kofane join the squad in training. Plus the former Werkself players Paulo Sergio and Rodrigo Chagas visit the Bayer AG Football School. In the afternoon there is a big media event ahead of the friendly against the Flamengo U20s. As usual, Bayer04.de keeps you up-to-date with on-the-spot reports. The blog for day three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour (timings given in local time).
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