Back
18.01.2021Bayer 04

‘Move on up’

In spite of the setback in Berlin, Bayer 04 still have ambitious targets. Ahead of the final game in the first half of the season against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night, 19 January (kick-off: 20.30 CET), sporting managing director Rudi Völler talks about the current situation.
crop_imago0046706378h.jpg

We didn’t start the New Year well. Of course, we can’t be happy even though we did qualify for the Round of 16 in the cup with the win against Eintracht Frankfurt the week before. One point from the last four Bundesliga games does not live up to our expectations – in spite of strong opponents.

We’re facing one of them today as well. You don’t have to describe Borussia Dortmund’s qualities as they are well-known. But so are our’s. Although we haven’t picked up the points, we have shown a positive trend in the last two games. The first half at Union Berlin was worthy of a top team. The only thing missing was a goal.

We want to do better against BVB. Despite the recent setbacks, a good result could see us move on up. This special season shows that the clubs involved in Europe have to pay the price for a very demanding fixture schedule. That all applies on each and every matchday. The race is a long way from being over.

A word on the events in Berlin on Friday night. It’s always been the case that there can be verbal rough and tumble on the pitch at times. When I was playing, incidents like that were mostly forgotten by the end of the game. Things stayed on the pitch when you shook hands. But these days the players involved and the public are more sensitive. So whoever goes beyond the mark has to live with the consequences. Nevertheless, I believe that a sincere apology means you can deal with an issue in a conciliatory way.

Best wishes, Rudi Völler

Related News

Kids-PK
Football School - 23.04.2025

Goalkeeper duo Hradecky and Schlich at Kids press conference

Two keepers, lots of questions: Werkself captain Lukas Hradecky and U19 goalkeeper Jesper Schlich visited the BarmeniaGothaer children’s press conference in partnership with the Bayer 04 Lions Club on Wednesday afternoon. The duo faced interesting and at times unusual questions from around 50 inquisitive young journalists in the press conference room at the BayArena.

Show more
Sporting Director Programme in der BayArena
Bayer 04 - 23.04.2025

Sporting Director Programme with Falkenberg, Southgate and Bierhoff at the BayArena

A large number of sporting directors and officials from big clubs across Europe came to the BayArena on Tuesday for the second seminar in the UEFA Sporting Director Programme (SDP) in cooperation with the ECA.

Show more
Janou Levels
Women - 22.04.2025

Janou Levels signs for VfL Wolfsburg

Full-back Janou Levels will leave Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the end of the season. The 24-year-old has activated her release clause and she will join Bundesliga rivals VfL Wolfsburg. She has signed a three-year contract.

Show more
Training am 22.04.2025
Bayer 04 - 22.04.2025

‘End the season as well as we can': Werkself train ahead of #B04FCA

After returning from Hamburg and a day off on Easter Monday, the Werkself players were back on the training ground at the BayArena on Tuesday morning. Following the session, Amine Adli was very positive in a media interview about the remaining four matches including the forthcoming home game against FC Augsburg (Saturday, 26 April, 15:30 CEST): "We will give our all to end the season as well as we can!"

Show more