Pala, are you more a Christmas fan or Grinch?
Palacios: “I’d say I’m a fan. I really look forward to Christmas, especially because I get the time over Christmas and new year to go see my family in Argentina. It’s the time for us to come together. I have the chance to see people I’ve not been able to see all year. Both my mum and dad have huge families. Lots of relatives live in different cities, so not everyone can be there. But if things work out, we’ll have a full house.”
What do you like about Christmas in Germany?
Palacios: “Christmas is a big celebration in Germany. There’s always a lot of excitement, even more than in Argentina in my view. You can see and feel that everywhere, even just in the many Christmas markets. I recently went round the Christmas market at the cathedral in Cologne with my mum and we ate waffles together. That was really nice and delicious.”
What’s a typical Christmas like in the Palacios family?
Palacios: “I obviously think it’s good that it’s very hot and the sun shines at this time of year back home [laughs]. We’re always in the pool when we’ve got time. We also dance and celebrate a lot together, even when there are no typical Christmas songs.”
What’s on the table?
Palacios: “At the end of the day, we just want to enjoy the time together. Obviously also with good food. My grandma always cooks for all of us, especially really delicious empanadas. Those are filled pastries. We also like to have a traditional asado barbecue.”
What’s your best memory of Christmas?
Palacios: “I remember I used to always write a letter with my brother to Santa every year and we’d ask for a football. That memory always comes back to me when I head back home. Luckily our wish came true [laughs].”
Have you got all your presents ready this year?
Palacios: “I’m well prepared this year, yes. Admittedly, I needed some help wrapping. That’s really not my strength. I’d give myself a maximum of four out of 10 there. But we only give each other little things because our greatest present is being together.”
What’s your wish for the new year?
Palacios: “I’ve got a few wishes for 2024 but don’t want to reveal them, otherwise they won’t come true [laughs].”
You can also read an interview with Lukas Hradecky on Christmas in Finland, the home of Santa Claus, tomorrow.
A thrilling final but with no reward: the Bayer 04 U19s lost 5-4 to 1. FC Köln in the final for the German championship. Sergi Runge's side went into a commanding lead through goals by Artem Stepanov and Jeremiah Mensah, but the visitors battled back and turned it into a 4-2 lead before half-time. Leverkusen then showed their own comeback qualities in the second period, with Francis Onyeka and Kerim Alajbegovic restoring partiy, but Luis Stapelmann snatched the winner for Köln late on.
Show moreThey had their hands full in the VAR centre in Cologne: eight goals were scored at the MEWA Arena on Saturday afternoon, but only four of them were allowed in the end as the Werkself and 1. FSV Mainz 05 closed the season with a 2-2 draw. It means Bayer 04 end the 2024/25 campaign as runners-up with 69 points, representing the fourth-best season in the club's history. What's more, the Werkself are now unbeaten away from home in two whole Bundesliga seasons, with their last away defeat coming exactly two years ago on Matchday 34 of the 2022/23 season at VfL Bochum. The Black-and-Reds can continue the record run next season - albeit without Alonso and Tah. Read what else the eventful final game for the head coach and the defensive leader had to offer in the Werkself Review.
Show moreWerkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-2 draw at Mainz 05 on the 34th matchday of the Bundesliga 2024/25...
Show moreBayer 04’s final game of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season saw VAR drama and produced a new record for away results with a 2-2 draw in Mainz. The hosts had several goals ruled out before Paul Nebel put them ahead. Patrik Schick’s brace then turned things around in the second half before Jonathan Burkardt’s penalty levelled the game again. It means Leverkusen have now gone 34 away games without defeat in the Bundesliga, which no team has ever done before.
Show moreThe Werkself bring down the curtain on their 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign with a game away at Mainz on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 meeting at the MEWA Arena.
Show more