Josip Stanisic on…
…his first days in Leverkusen: After the signing on Sunday, I trained on my own on Monday because the squad had the day off. Today I was finally on the pitch with the lads for the first time. It was a great feeling – even though I completed some parts of the session on my own. But that's normal in a first training session particularly as I hadn't done anything for three days due to the talks around my move. But what I saw in such a short space of time: Here everybody is really into their football and is highly motivated.
…the reasons for his decision to sign for Bayer 04: The club showed great interest in me and they definitely wanted to have me. That really impressed me. On top of that, the playing style of the team and the game idea of the coach both suit me. The development here over the last few months has been really impressive and it struck me as extremely positive even from a few hundred kilometres away.
…his favoured position: I prefer playing at the back on the right rather than on the left but that's not a secret. But I can play on the right side of central defence in a back three or a back five. But for me in general: I play where the coach puts me in and where I can best help the team.
…competition at Bayer Leverkusen: The lads played really well against Leipzig and, of course, they justifiably have a certain advantage through that. But I will give my all from the first day to fight my way into the team as quickly as possible. I hope to get a lot of playing time not least because of all the games in three competitions over the course of the season. But the most important thing first is to build on the good start and carry on winning. To do that we have to remain calm, work hard and take it game by game. We can achieve a lot if we can do that..
…his recollection of the 2-1 defeat with FC Bayern at the BayArena in the middle of March: The match definitely impressed me most from my games in Leverkusen – and it wasn't a good one from a Bayern perspective. The atmosphere at the stadium was incredibly good, I was very surprised. That's why I can't wait to play in front of this crowd.
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.
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