
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.”


Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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Construction work continues on the ‘Haus der Talente’ on Kurtekottenweg in Leverkusen, where 36 young elite athletes will find a new home from next summer. The building team from Temmink Bau, led by Thomas Wellers, are hard at work. Over the past few days, excavators, wheeled loaders and rollers have removed 2,500 cubic metres of soil to excavate the basement.
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In a top-quality encounter, the Bayer 04 women’s team lost 3-2 at home to Bayern Munich. Paulina Tomasiak opened the scoring with a free-kick (36’) and also netted a superb goal to make it 2–1 (52’). Vanessa Gilles (51') and Edna Imade (68') equalised for FC Bayern in a fast-paced and extremely entertaining match. Alara Sehitler sealed the win late on for the reigning champions.
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