
During the match, which consisted of two 30-minute halves, the spectators, who turned up in large numbers despite the rain, naturally paid special attention to newcomer Mbamba, who was out with his teammates for the first time.
“It was super to get to know the players, coaches and the backroom staff. Everyone’s welcomed me and the mood was good. I’m looking forward to integrating myself bit by bit into the team, into the club. That’s important when you’re new. For me, the whole concept here at Bayer 04 was just right,” said the 18-year-old midfielder, who goes by the nickname ‘Bambi’.
All the players who only featured briefly yesterday played the full game today. After 60 minutes, it ended 5-0 to the Werkself against the club’s oldest youth team. Kerem Demirbay, Zidan Sertdemir, Amine Adli, Karim Bellarabi and Sardar Azmoun got the goals.





Scorer of three goals in the last three friendlies, Adli spoke positively about the previous weeks of training. “I feel good and think the break was good for me. But the goals were above all important for the team and our feeling,” the 22-year-old summarised. He also stressed: “We had a very hard but also very good pre-season and so feel absolutely ready for the Bundesliga. We’re motivated and looking forward to the games and our fans.”
Adli was also full of praise for teammate Florian Wirtz, who could make his long-awaited competitive return in Mönchengladbach after his cruciate ligament injury: “His position between attack and defence can be crucial in matches. We’re all delighted he’s finally back. He makes things easier for me and all our teammates with his quality and influence.”
The team have Tuesday off before returning to one session a day in final preparation for the Gladbach game. There are also still tickets available for the match in the Bayer 04 Webshop.

A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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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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