"Records don't interest me" – Patrik Schick, the most successful foreign striker in the club's history, talks about his outstanding season in a big interview: "Before the season, I set out to become unconditionally more effective in future. Everything I do on the pitch should make a contribution to the team. On top of that, I try to take a more simple approach to playing with just one or two touches of the ball and less dribbling. I'm basically trying to make my game quicker." The 26-year-old Czech also speaks about his targets with Bayer 04 and reveals some private insights.
Piero Hincapie has been extremely effective this season. The Ecuador international, signed by Bayer 04 in the late summer of 2021, has adjusted to the Bundesliga incredibly quickly and established himself straight away. In the Werkself Magazine, the 20-year-old talks about his route from Ecuador via Argentina to Leverkusen, the meaning of his surname and qualifying for the World Cup by the end of March.
The editors, together with five former colleagues, look at the unique contribution of Rudi Völler at Leverkusen. From beginning as a player in the middle of the 1990s, through his time as coach to his role as the sporting managing director. Peter Hermann, Reiner Calmund, Michael Ballack, Wolfgang Holzhäuser and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge all contribute. And, of course, the #RoadtoGlasgow story cannot be missed out: This edition covers the unforgettable Champions League games against Liverpool and Manchester United in early 2002.
There is also much more entertaining reading material such as a profile of Bayer 04 Women's player Verena Wieder and the two stadium announcers Petra Dahl and Tobias Ufer. Under the heading 'With the cross on their chests', Arne Larsen Ökland takes centre stage as the first Bundesliga striker and crowd favourite at Bayer 04.
You can also catch up with all previous Werkself Magazines at bayer04.de from edition one in the 2015/16 season.
We are taking the Day of German Unity and the anniversary as an opportunity to tell a story that befits the subject - that of Falko Götz. The long-serving player, who currently works in scouting at Bayer 04, spoke to bayer04.de about his youth in the GDR, his escape during an away game in Belgrade and how he identifies with Bayer 04.
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With seven points from five games, Union Berlin have made a decent start to the season. Particularly in the wins against VfB Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt, the Irons, who are otherwise known for their strong defence, impressively demonstrated they also have a lot to offer in attack. They will be looking to prove this once again at the BayArena on Saturday, 4 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST, match on Sky and highlights on DAZN). The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Derby time in the Rhineland! After a successful September, the Bayer 04 Women are away to FC Köln on Sunday, 4 October. In the Bundesliga match kicking off at 18:30 CEST at the Franz Kremer Stadium (live on MagentaSport and DAZN), coach Roberto Pätzold is counting on the return of a number of players who have been absent through injury.
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Bayer 04 have extended the contract with Argentinian World Cup winner Exequiel Palacios with his current contract due to run out in the summer of 2028. The midfielder, currently unavailable due to injury, has signed a new contract with the Bundesliga club that runs to 30 June 2030.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Axel Tape for the time being.
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