News in brief: Rolfes on BILD Live – Schick on ‘Stars of the Bundesliga’

Simon Rolfes is first set to appear on the ZDF midday show around 13.45 CEST on Friday afternoon in conversation with presenter Norbert König to talk about the top match against the current league leaders from Munich. A few hours before the kick-off of #B04FCB, the Bayer 04 sporting director will be a guest on the Sunday morning show 'Lage der Liga' looking at the state of play in the league at 09.30 CEST. The talk show will be broadcast on the new TV channel BILD Live.

Sky profile of Schick

Anybody who supports the Black and Reds will also enjoy watching television on Saturday: The pay-TV channel Sky is dedicating the next edition of their documentary series 'Stars of the Bundesliga' to Werkself central striker Patrik Schick. The 30-minute programme begins at 10.00 CEST - it will be worth watching.

Tapsoba and returnees on the ball

Back on the pitch: There was an intensive training session in the shadow of the BayArena on Thursday for Schick and Co. after an extended sprint session with fitness coach Bob Schoos, there were fast playing drills in restricted space. Taking a full part again was the recovered Edmond Tapsoba. He was joined by players returning from international duty in the shape of Andrey Lunev, Odilon Kossounou, Charles Aránguiz, Florian Wirtz and Moussa Diaby.

Another international trio consisting of Amine Adli, Jeremie Frimpong and Mitchel Bakker were at work inside the BayArena. The skipper Lukas Hradecky, who has been given a day to recover, plus the South American duo Piero Hincapie and Lucas Alario, who are in action overnight, are set to return shortly. Zidan Sertdemir is set to rejoin his teammates on the training ground on Friday.

Calmund: "keep our feet on the ground"

Reiner Calmund is also looking forward to the top match at the BayArena. The legendary Leverkusen general manager sees the current league leaders from Munich as the favourites – in spite of their recent 2-1 defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt and being level on points with the Black and Reds. "We should all keep our feet on the ground. Just because Bayern have lost once, the two teams are not at all on a par," said the 72-year-old.

Nevertheless, Calli found words of praise for the team under head coach Gerardo Seoane and he says they have a good chance, particularly on the European stage: "The team play quick and attractive football. I think Bayer have more chance of winning the Europa League than being champions."

Reiner ‘Calli’ Calmund worked for TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen from 1976 as well as from 1999 to 2004 as managing director of Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH. Under his leadership, the club from Leverkusen won the UEFA Cup in 1988, the DFB Cup in 1993 and reached the Champions League final in 2001/02.

happy 70th birthday

Bayer 04 again send out black and red congratulations today (Thursday): Above all, we congratulate the former Bayer 04 player Harry Gniech on his 70th birthday. Born and bred in Leverkusen, he played for the Werkself from 1966 and was the first youth player to step up to the first-team squad. He was also part of the team that gained promotion to Germany's top flight in 1978/79.

Birthday greetings also go to Henrique Buss. The Brazilian played on loan from Barcelona in the 2008/09 season. He is now 34 years old. And Thomas Reichenberger celebrates his 46th birthday. The former striker first played for the Leverkusen Reserves in 1997/98 before making 24 appearances (four goals) for the senior team in the following season. Many happy returns to all of you.