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…the playing staff: Following the departure of Kai (Havertz, ed.) and Kevin (Volland, ed.) signing Patrik (Schick, ed.) was an important transfer deal for us. He’s a versatile player who can play up front on his own – and with a partner – as well as in the hole. He fits in really well with the way we play. On top of that, we have lots of other players in our squad who are versatile in attacking positions.
…expectations of the team: And I wouldn’t just focus on new players but also on those who are here. Perhaps the changed structure gives many of them a chance to grow into a role. We expect one or the other who are already here to take the next step in their development this season – and I think they can do it.
…other potential new signings: Of course, we’ll see how far we can strengthen the squad. I’m not ruling anything out. But we’re not specifically looking at a position or a particular player. We won’t go mad but instead always act sensibly.
…possible departures: You can’t rule anything out in football. Rumours are normal in a transfer window and always a sign that are players attractive and have a value. At the end of a day, we are a club that has to sell players if we get the right offers.
…Jonathan Tah: He’s a player with the potential to keep improving. I believe he is capable of using the qualities he has, be that his presence in challenges or his pace. That will give our game even more quality.
…the return of fans: There’s huge relief we can finally play in front of spectators again. They provide that special atmosphere in stadiums. I think all the clubs are very well prepared. It’s right to begin with a certain number (20 per cent of the capacity, ed.) to be able to improve processes. It’s a step towards normality.
…the Bundesliga opener: The start of the season is not easy without a proper pre-season. Despite that, a team can grow together. In addition, we don’t have any new signings other than Lennart Grill and Patrik Schick up to now. To that extent, all the players know each other and have taken in the way we play. I expect the players to quickly form a team – and take on the difficult circumstances as a challenge. Then I’ll be optimistic that we can make a good start to the season.
Bundesliga champions Bayer 04 have also dominated the division’s Team of the Season after football fans around the world named Jonathan Tah, Alejandro Grimaldo, Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka, Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface in the Bundesliga’s best XI for 2023/24, in cooperation with EA Sports.
Show moreBayer 04 Women suffered just their second home defeat of the season on Matchday 20 in the Google Pixel Bundesliga, going down 2-1 to Bayern Munich on Saturday afternoon. Nikola Karczewska’s consolation goal in the hour mark wasn’t enough to complete a comeback as the visitors wrapped up the title for the second year in a row. Leverkusen remain on 28 points.
Show moreBayer 04 Women host Bayern Munich at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion on Saturday (kick-off: 12pm CEST) facing a familiar scenario. The visitors have the chance to be crowned champions in the Google Pixel Bundesliga, just like then they last came to Leverkusen 12 months ago. A goalless draw on that occasion saw Robert de Pauw’s side delay the title celebrations, and they want to do the same again with three games to go.
Show moreOnly a few hours after the Werkself’s 2-0 win away at Roma in the UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg, attentions turned to the next game as Bayer 04 visit Eintracht Frankfurt for Bundesliga Matchday 32 on Sunday (kick-off: 5.30pm CEST). Speaking at his press conference in Rome shortly before returning to Leverkusen on Friday morning, head coach Xabi Alonso talked about the strengths of six-placed Frankfurt and how the team will handle his touchline suspension.
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