Jens, you were named as an honorary captain at the home game against RB Leipzig in front of a full house at the BayArena. What does that moment mean to you?
Nowotny: The reaction of the fans and the chants at the stadium made me very happy. I see it as a great honour to be called on to join the group of honorary captains. At the same time, that also brings the responsibility to represent and set as an example the values and principles of Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Of course, you too will have followed the Werkself last season with great delight. When did you realise that it would be enough to produce such great success?
Nowotny: From my perspective, the matchdays immediately after the winter break were incredibly important. I was keen to see how Bayer 04 and the other teams would get on. After the sometimes very narrow but victorious games at Augsburg and Leipzig, at home to Gladbach and then at Darmstadt I first had the thought: Yes, we can really do it. That thought was finally confirmed after the victory against Bayern Munich.
What are you most looking forward to at the start of this season?
Nowotny: I will just enjoy carrying on watching Bayer 04 at this extremely high level backed up by the big wins. I just want to watch good football and I'm confident that wish will be fulfilled.
Let's come to the trophy tour to New York City, which you are doing together with Fernando Carro. You will present the trophies to the Bayer colleagues in North America.
Nowotny: From our trip to Asia with Bayer 04 many years ago, I can still remember how surprised the locals were that we had a Veterans team. (He laughs) The fact is: With a trip like that you can significantly increase the profile of Bayer 04 worldwide in the Bayer Group and also far beyond it. I'm very much looking forward to the meetings and experiences over there.
Will you also have some free time in the breathtaking metropolis? What do you definitely want to see in New York City?
Nowotny: I'll take it as it comes and let myself be inspired. I want to represent Bayer 04 as best as possible together with Fernando Carro and give the people over there an insight into the world of the club. At some point I will definitely come back to New York with my wife to see more of the city. (He laughs)
Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
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In the final international break in the current 2025/26 campaign, Bayer 04 striker Patrik Schick with Czechia will be battling for a place at the World Cup. Meanwhile, national teams that have already qualified, include other Werkself players called up, are involved in friendlies in the build-up to the World Cup. Read on for an overview of the Leverkusen internationals and their match dates.
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The Werkself kicked off the final international break of the current season on Monday morning with the first of three open training sessions this week. While eleven Bayer 04 players will be away on international duty in the coming days, the other players will be working together in Leverkusen. The next challenge in the Bundesliga awaits on Saturday, 4 April (kick-off: 15:30 CEST) with the home game against VfL Wolfsburg.
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