Simon Rolfes on...
...controlling workloads ahead of the Europa League:
The pattern of games is an unusual challenge for everybody. Above all, you have to maintain a clear mind. It helps if you have clear targets. We've come out of our normal rhythm – the players have had two weeks off. At the same time, that was not long enough to lose fitness but instead it helped regeneration. That also helps in quickly being able to get back up to a very good level for the games in the Europa League. The time off did the players good, they were able to recharge their batteries and they are up for it and focused.
...the competitive status of European clubs:
On the one hand, other leagues have had a longer run of games than we have but, on the other hand, they are still in a rhythm for the start of the Europa League. Whether that's an advantage or disadvantage is pure speculation. And the tournament with "just" four games is too short for you to say that one team is perhaps more rested than another. We are definitely very well prepared. How it is with other teams will have to be a bit of a surprise for us.
...the difference between the first and second leg matches against Rangers:
It now feels like the first leg was ages ago. We played in front of nearly 50,000 fans. Today the players have to be separated, physical distance maintained and only very few people are allowed into the stadium. Those are worlds apart. There really is a great desire to be able to experience a match full of emotion and normality again.
...dealing with the DFB Cup final:
The lads are up for it again and we're ready to go again. After the cup final, they were disappointed when they went on holiday. But it's all part of football being able to get over defeats, deal with them and then gain new motivation for the next target. We are going into the matches in the Europa League with energy and the absolute desire to win every game. We need to be right back on it now: It's important for us to win the second leg against Glasgow Rangers and get off toa a good start in the tournament.
...the reintroduction of fans to stadiums:
We were happy to be playing games again over the past few weeks. But football is all about fans being in the stadiums and the associated emotion. Of course, we hope we can take a small step forward next season and allow supporters to return. As a league, we have to find a good way of communicating with the fans. Everybody is well aware that there will be restrictions. But from my point of view, it's better to take a small step towards normality and bring back fewer fans at the start than none at all. That would give us experience and insights and allow us to make adjustments to perhaps take the next step. If you say "everybody or nobody" then it is possible it will take longer to reach the target.
...the Kai Havertz documentary:
It's very special to play for one club for ten years. Kai has great significance for our club. He came to us as an 11-year-old, made it to the first team and played for Germany here and, of course, he is now the embodiment of the club. We wanted to show all that in the documentary and also illustrate the route a young player can take here at Bayer 04.
...possible transfers:
The transfer window is open for a long time this summer – up to October. From the point of view of a sporting director, it's obviously always desirable to be clear about the squad for the new season as soon as possible. That's an ideal scenario but rarely reality. But we are relaxed, doing our work, preparing as ever and observing the market. Accordingly, we'll see how recruitment issues develop in the coming weeks. One thing is certain and that is we will finish this season's Europa League campaign with the squad we have now.
The Werkself conceded a goal at home for the first time since the beginning of January 67 minutes into the game against FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday. Jarell Quansah levelled late on for the final score of 1-1 to secure a point and avoid a first home defeat in six games. Bayer 04 were very critical of their performance after the game. The Werkself review.
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Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
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From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 1-1 draw against Mainz 05 on Matchday 24 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...
A late goal secured a point for Bayer 04 at home to FSV Mainz 05 in a match that saw the Black and Reds dominant in the second half. Despite lots of possession, the Werkself initially found few gaps and fell behind after 67 minutes when Sheraldo Becker scored in a Mainz counter-attack. In the closing stages, Leverkusen threw everything forward once again and equalised through Jarell Quansah (88').
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