News in brief: Changes for the Europa League – the next Wirtz records

Good news from the Werkself training ground: In the first session of the new week, several players were able to train after recently not being able to join their teammates for various reasons. Emrehan Gedikli, who picked up a minor injury with the Germany U19s, was back along with the South American players Exequiel Palacios, Piero Hincapie and Charles Aránguiz. The latter trained on his own as the Chilean midfielder picked up a knock playing for his country.

Patrik Schick, Robert Andrich and Paulinho were absent from the training ground. The trio, who were in the starting line-up for the Saturday's 4-3 defeat against Borussia Dortmund, completed a recovery session inside the BayArena. "We don't have any injuries from the Dortmund game. I think everybody will be in full training tomorrow," declared head coach Gerardo Seoane.

Seoane: looking forward to europe

The forthcoming Europa league opener against Ferencváros on Thursday, 16th September (kick-off: 18.45 CEST) marks the start of a busy run of fixtures for Bayer 04. Seoane, who last season knocked the Werkself out of the competition with Young Boys Bern, explained in view of the packed fixture list: "We want to use the depth of the squad to again and again be ready to go."

The Swiss manager is looking forward to his European debut in Black and Red. Being able to measure up to "teams from different football cultures" is always very attractive. On the targets in the Europa League, he said: "We want to improve compared with last season and do well in this competition." The other group opponents for the Werkself are Celtic and Real Betis.

Wirtz: awards and records

The records keep coming. Florian Wirtz put the Werkself ahead against Dortmund and he provided the assist for Patrik Schick to make it 2-1. The good performance by the Pulheim-born midfielder earned him a place in the ‘Team of the Week’ on both the ARD Sportschau and in the BILD newspaper.

But that's not all. Thanks to his goal against BVB, Wirtz is the youngest player in the history of the Bundesliga to score eight goals as well as the youngest with nine assists in the history of the league (one day younger than Bayer 04 homegrown star Kai Havertz). Also worth noting: No Bundesliga player, who has played at least 25 minutes, took less time to be involved in a goal this term – the 18-year-old has been involved in a goal every 25 minutes on average (two goals, three assists in 124 minutes). So may it continue, Flo!

Völler clearly against world cup every two years

Sporting managing director Rudi Völler has clearly positioned himself in the debate about the World Cup being played every two years instead of every four: "It's a crazy idea by FIFA," said the 61-year-old. "The most important thing now is for UEFA to stand firm. The association is too important for that. Nothing happens without UEFA. Exactly as Aleksander Ceferin (UEFA president, ed.) has already done when the first top clubs wanted the Super League. That would have destroyed football. And it's the same with the issue of the World Cup."

The 1990 World Cup winner, talking about the state of the league on BILD Live, added: "We are football romantics: Anybody who loves football cannot be in favour of an idea like that. Anyone that does it is against football. I would hope that there will be a signal from the DFB in the next few days: Without us!"

The German Football Association (DFB) has said that it is "fundamentally" in favour the current four-year cycle. "It's clear to me that German football will clearly back UEFA and the UEFA president," said the DFB interim president Peter Peters, who represents the DFB in FIFA, in an interview with kicker. The announced decision must still be discussed and approved by a meeting of the DFB committee. That has been arranged for Friday.

goal celebration: Nikolic congratulates Jessen

A night of football can end so well. With her goal to make it 2-0, Milena Nikolic sealed a home win for the Bayer 04 Women against FFC Turbine Potsdam (click HERE for the match report). The Bosnia-Herzegovina international then set off on her well-deserved run of celebration – and made a very special baby gesture (see photo). The reason: Her teammate Sandra Jessen gave birth to her child Ella Ylví a couple of days ago. Only the best for you, Sandra!

COVID-19 vaccination week of action

Today, Monday, is the start of the Germany wide week of action by the federal and state governments. Under the motto #HierWirdGeimpft (#Vaccinations here), as yet unvaccinated citizens are to be informed of short notice, creative and easily accessible vaccination campaigns in their region. Bayer 04 also supports vaccinations against Covid-19 and has already organised vaccination sessions at the BayArena as well as in the vicinity of the stadium – further information on the campaign can be found HERE.

double congratulations

A week after his departure on loan to Turkey, Joel Pohjanpalo celebrated his 27th birthday on Monday. Many happy returns. The Finland international, currently playing for Caykur Rizespor, went straight into the starting eleven for his debut on Sunday. Danger played for 82 minutes with Rizespor losing 2-0 to Hatayspor due to a late double.

And the former Leverkusen player Manuel Friedrich also celebrates his birthday on 13 September. The nine-time Germany international played for the Werkself from 2007 to 2013 making 147 Bundesliga appearances (11 goals, six assists). Friedrich ended his career in December 2015 after six months at Mumbai City FC in India. And best wishes to you too on your 42nd birthday.