Back
6.05.2020Bayer 04

Rolfes after restart decision: ‘Sign of confidence’

Confirmed on Wednesday: The 2019/20 Bundesliga season is set to start again. A video conference with Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and the state minister presidents resulted in the green light for the resumption of the Bundesliga in the second half of May after the suspension of league fixtures in the middle of March. Tomorrow (Thursday), the DFL will announce the exact start date for games behind closed doors. Following the decision of the politicians to allow the resumption of the league campaign, Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes talked to an online media audience about...
crop_20200117_NB_Peter_Bosz_und_Simon_Rolfes_PK_71648.jpg

… the decision to resume the Bundesliga season: We’re happy about the decision. It’s a sign of the confidence of the politicians in the concept of the DFL that prescribes the organisational and hygienic requirements. A lot of people have been working on it and its local implementation over the past few weeks both by DFL and the clubs. In our case, we have to thank our team doctor Dr. Karl-Heinrich Dittmar and his team. They designed all the measures and implemented them. But it’s also clear this decision also brings great responsibility with it – for the club and the players. We want to live up to that in the coming weeks.

…criticism of the decision: Above all in a crisis, it’s important not to play different groups off against each other. You can’t criticise anybody who wants to do their job again. The people in charge from the widest range of groups had and have the chance to work out plans for a restart – and professional football has achieved it. Of course, football as the number one sport, which is reported on daily in nearly all the media, plays a big part in the public dialogue. But it doesn’t automatically have a higher priority over anything else because of that.

…the competitive parity of the Bundesliga clubs: I believe that’s a given. Everybody has trained in restricted conditions and without an exact target date, starting in small groups. It hardly has any effect if you resume full training one or two days earlier than others. Not all teams start at the same time in the pre-season or during the winter break.

…the case of an infected player/manager over the course of the season: The power of ultimate decision in that event is with the local health authorities. They impose the quarantine measures. We have a close and good relationship with the local health authority in Leverkusen. Don’t forget: The tight timing of the testing is obviously designed to identify positive cases early and to prevent further infection.

…possibility of fans gathering outside stadiums: There are ongoing conversations between Bayer 04 and the fans. And, of course, we appeal to our supporters to watch the Werkself games at home in front of the television. On top of that, we have great confidence in our supporters. They are well aware that you can’t joke about this coronavirus pandemic. Feedback from our fans has shown they are conscious of their responsibility – both in view of their own health and also in the knowledge they could harm Bayer 04.

…the next steps before the restart: The DFL general meeting is tomorrow. After that, we’ll know exactly which matchday we’ll start with. We will start full training again and the regular coronavirus testing has and will serve as one of the preconditions for that. The hotel we use depends on the start date and venue. We’ll make that decision in the next day or two.

Related News

Alonso
Bundesliga - 18.05.2025

Werkself Review #M05B04: Strange start, positive ending

They 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 more
Werkself end 2024/25 with away record | 34th matchday
Werkself-TV - 17.05.2025

TV highlights of 2-2 draw at Mainz 05

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-2 draw at Mainz 05 on the 34th matchday of the Bundesliga 2024/25...

Show more
Letzter Spieltag
Bundesliga - 17.05.2025

Werkself end 2024/25 with away record after 2-2 draw in Mainz

Bayer 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 more
Bayer 04
Bundesliga - 17.05.2025

Matchday news #M05B04: 3,500 travelling supporters for final game

The 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
Gracias Xabi Alonso | Abschieds-Interview des Trainers, der in Leverkusen Geschichte schrieb
Werkself-TV - 16.05.2025

Xabi Alonso’s farewell interview after making history in Leverkusen

Xabi Alonso is leaving Leverkusen at the end of the season. In his final interview as Werkself coach, he talks about his two-and-a-half years at the helm, the greatest moments of his historic tenure and his appreciation of the connection with the fans and players throughout their remarkable progress together.

Show more