"Patrik Schick has had a fantastic season and shown his world-class ability in his position. There are few centre-forwards of his calibre on the European stage," said sporting director Simon Rolfes on the long-term extension to the current successful partnership. "In addition to Patrik's exceptional sporting qualities as a complete striker he also has the abilities of a leader to provide stability and guidance to a team on the pitch. The contract extension with a player of his quality underlines the ambition we all have under the Bayer Cross."
Rudi Völler was very committed to the signing of the 6 foot 3 striker two years ago when he was at Völler’s former club AS Roma after a loan deal at RB Leipzig. And the current contract extension with the top goalscorer in last year's European Championships has seen the departing sporting managing director provide full support for Rolfes. "Agreeing a new deal with a player like that is an expression of our ambition and a clear sign that Bayer 04 Leverkusen want to remain at the top level after my departure. That's exactly what I promised at the stadium on the final Bundesliga matchday," said Völler who hands over to Rolfes on 1 July. "For me, Patrik Schick is one of the best centre-forwards in the world at the moment. He knows he has great teammates here who set him up from all angles and enable him to express his strengths," said Völler. “I'm looking forward to seeing him in a Werkself shirt in the coming years."
The Prague-born striker Schick, who has scored 17 goals for the Czech Republic in 33 internationals, has settled down in Leverkusen over the past two years. "I feel really good here," said the 26-year-old, "our team is a promise for the future above all. It's huge fun being with these lads and we are really determined to achieve something. Qualification for the Champions League is a good next step. There are lots of possibilities here so that's why I've extended my deal at Bayer 04."
The meeting between fifth and sixth on Saturday afternoon (17 January, 15:30 CET) is a hard one to predict. While the Werkself can take confidence from their historic record at TSG Hoffenheim, the hosts are currently enjoying their second-best Bundesliga campaign and have lost just one of their last 10 games. Another good omen for Bayer 04: Daniel Schlager also refereed Leverkusen's last victory in Sinsheim (4-1). The Matchday News.
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At the end of the winter training camp in Portugal, the Bayer 04 Women convincingly mastered their friendly ahead of the start of the second half of the season. In the match against Swiss league leaders Servette FCCF, coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 3-0 at the Monte Gordo Sports Complex. Carlotta Wamser (4’), Vanessa Fudalla (18’) and Loreen Bender (53’) scored for Bayer 04, who have been preparing for the Rückrunde in the Algarve since last Saturday.
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The German Football League (DFL) has rescheduled the postponed fixture at Hamburger SV on Bundesliga matchday 17. The match, due to be played on Tuesday, has now been rescheduled for Wednesday, 4 March (kick-off: 20:30 CET).
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The Rückrunde is about to begin: The Werkself travel to TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday, 17 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET) on Bundesliga matchday 18. At the pre-match press conference on Friday lunchtime, head coach Kasper Hjulmand emphasised the double anticipation for the clash following Tuesday's postponement of the fixture at Hamburger SV. And he also talked about the tactical approach against an opponent on course for Champions League qualification.
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TSG Hoffenheim have had a tremendous season so far and are in absolute top form going into the new year. After another outstanding display against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Wednesday, TSG went above Bayer 04 in the table. On Saturday, 17 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET), coach Christian Ilzer's team will be looking to continue their run in the league against the Werkself. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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