"First of all, I'd like to say a big thank you to Rüdiger Vollborn. He made it possible for some of the players from that team to meet up again here at the BayArena. It's great to be back," said Karl-Heinz Brücken in conversation with the stadium announcers Pitti Dahl and Tobias Ufer at half-time.
The former Leverkusen midfielder provided an insight into the training regime for the team that achieved such success back then that few people would understand today: "We only trained three times a week. That was the most at the amateur level as things were at the time. We all had jobs or were studying." Brücken was a student back then and he joined Bayer 04 from Fortuna Düsseldorf after he came to the attention of the then head coach Theo Kirchberg who offered him a trial and then a contract.
Asked about how the team prepared for matches back then, the 75-year-old Brücken was happy to recall: "We only had 13 outfield players and two keepers in the whole squad – it was simply a completely different time. Although it was possible to substitute players from the 1967/68 season – one player could be replaced. Of course, it was difficult with such a small squad given all the commitments. We met up on Saturdays before matches and often went to the Bergische where we could prepare for matches with walks and discussions. That led to a really good team spirit and that was definitely important for us going on to win the title given the small size of the squad."
The Colombian midfielder Gustavo Puerta is set to join Hull City on permanent terms from 1 July. Bayer 04 Leverkusen and the Championship club originally agreed a season-long loan in the summer with an option to buy included in the contract. A permanent move to Hull City has been triggered by the number of league appearances Puerta has made this term.
Show moreThe Easter holidays enticed a large number of Bayer 04 fans to come to the training ground at the BayArena, today Wednesday 16 April, to watch the Werkself at an open training session in the afternoon. Afterwards, the players and head coach Xabi Alonso took time out to sign autographs and pose for photographs. And there was a lot going on besides: While midfield maestro Granit Xhaka fielded questions at an entertaining children's press conference, including the story behind his squad number 34, Nathan Tella faced the media.
Show moreAway fans take note: Tickets for the forthcoming away game for the Werkself against FC St Pauli at the Millerntor Stadium on Sunday, 20 April (kick-off: 19:30 CEST) are exclusively available on the Bayer 04 app. The tickets are available at once and as usual under the 'Profil' tab by clicking on the 'Meine Tickets' button.
Show moreFlap up, screen on: With the help of the new Bayer 04 tactics truck, training content and match action for the Werkself as well as tactical graphics can now be shown and discussed on the training ground.
Show moreWerkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-1 draw against 1. FC Köln on the 19th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2024/25...
Show more