…his past few weeks and months: We had a three-week break after the end of the Bundesliga season before we started preparing for the Champions League finals tournament. Then I had a couple of days off before starting to train again.
…the time Schick had to spend in quarantine: One of my Czech Republic teammates had a positive test for coronavirus. Several people from the team then had to go into quarantine – that included me. After the coronavirus tests proved negative for me, I was allowed to leave Prague and fly to Germany.
…first impressions in Leverkusen: I signed the contract after the medical – and today was the first training session. I'm very happy to be here. I've got to know my teammates and everybody's been really nice. The first training session went perfectly – the pitches are in good condition and the recovery options are outstanding. Everything you need to produce good performances is here.
…his decision to sign for Bayer 04: I had positive experiences at Leipzig. That's why I wanted to stay in the Bundesliga. Leverkusen have the same quality as Leipzig. The club are very ambitious and have an attractive, attacking style of play. I like that.
...the influence of his Czech Republic fellow countryman Michal Kadlec, who played for the Werkself from 2008 to 2013: I talked to him about Leverkusen in the run-up to the move. He said very positive things about the club and he helped me make the decision to come here.
…his current fitness level: Due to the time in quarantine, today's training was the first for me in around ten days. I think the cup game against Norderstedt (13 September, ed.) has come too soon for me. I have to start slowly and rediscover my form. I think I'll be ready for the first Bundesliga game at Wolfsburg.
…his targets with the Werkself: I want to play in the Champions League with Leverkusen. I'll fight as much as I can to achieve that target and I'd like to score as many goals as possible along the way.
The second European away game takes the Werkself to the Portuguese capital Lisbon. Kasper Hjulmand's team will face record champions Benfica on Wednesday, 5 November (kick-off: 20:00 GMT, 21:00 CET) on matchday 4 in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League. As usual, we will take you along on the #aCROSSeurope journey and report from Lisbon. The times given are Central European Time.
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The Werkself beat Benfica 1-0 on Matchday 4 of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase to seal three crucial points! Both teams had promising chances in the first half, but the contest was goalless at half-time. Substitute Patrik Schick headed in to score the only goal after the restart (65’). The home side went looking for an equaliser but Bayer 04 defended passionately to see out the storm.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win against Hamburger SV on the 9th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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The Werkself consolidated their position among the top teams in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga thanks to a last-minute goal on Wednesday evening. Roberto Pätzold’s team beat Hamburger SV 2-1 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Kristin Kögel (14’) and Caroline Kehrer (90’+5) scored for Bayer 04. The result takes Bayer 04 Women onto 19 points, third in the table behind top two Bayern Munich (25) and VfL Wolfsburg (22).
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One Bayer 04 player in particular is looking forward to the Werkself’s Champions League match away at Benfica on Wednesday 5 November (kick-off at 21:00 CET). Alejandro Grimaldo returns to his old stomping ground for the first time since he joined Bayer 04 two years ago. He encounters a Portuguese side that are unbeaten in the domestic league but under pressure in the UEFA Champions League having not taken any points, even under new coach José Mourinho. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in Lisbon.
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