
But there was more to do after that. Bellarabi made his way to the hotel lobby for the first "04 questions from others, 04 questions from you." In his interview he talked about his time in rehab, looks to the future and answers fans questions submitted via Facebook and Twitter.
Karim, you were the fastest in the lactate test today. To be honest: How tough was it?
Karim Bellarabi: "It was really hard work – even though it was just running. But you're pushed right to the limit in the lactate tests and it can be tough. But everything went well and it was fun. I'm just glad to be back again."
Are you 100 per cent fit again?
Karim Bellarabi: "I feel really good and there’s no sign of the injury. I don't have problems from that point of view. If you want to put it as a percentage then perhaps I'm at 95 or 96 at the moment. I'll definitely make up the rest."
What did you most look forward to during your time in rehab?
Karim Bellarabi: "I just wanted one thing: to get back on the pitch as soon as possible. That's why I went there every day and put myself through the mill. But it's certainly been worth it!"
Following that difficult period: How much are you looking forward to the training camp and, above all, the second half of the season?
Karim Bellarabi: I'm really keen! The facilities here in Orlando are great and it's perfect for us to prepare for the second half of the season. We want to fight all the way!"
@alexis_M_29 Who was the most important coach for you in your career?
Karim Bellarabi: "There are two: firstly, Roger Schmidt but also Thorsten Lieberknecht from Braunschweig. I really learned a lot from both of them and developed a lot."
@Crash22Crash Have you ever faced an opponent quicker than yourself?
Karim Bellarabi: "I haven’t met one so far. (He laughs) No, that's a joke. Of course, there are lots of opponents who who are fast but nobody in particular springs to mind."
Markus Ernst: What do you think the chances are of qualifying for the Champions League again?
Karim Bellarabi: "The fact is we're ninth at the moment. But it's also a fact that we want to move up the table as quickly as possible. We want to do our best in the second half of the season and then see what happens at the end of the day."
Markus Sosnov: What tattoos have you got and what they mean to you?
Karim Bellarabi: "First, I have a tattoo of my mother and it's clear what that means. Then I've got an anchor and that represents my home town of Bremen. And I have a wing on each arm and that's supposed to symbolise an eagle because that's my favourite animal.”


The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
Show more
After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
Show more
When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
Show more
To mark Exequiel Palacios’s departure, we’ve put together a compilation of the midfielder’s finest and most important goals from his six-and-a-half years at the club.
Show more