Benny, you've always described Leverkusen as your home in various interviews. On Saturday you play against Bayer 04 for the first time as a professional footballer. How do you feel about that?
It definitely feels different to other games. I played for Bayer 04 for 15 years and I went to school in Leverkusen. I know everything there inside out. It will feel funny to be in the away dressing room. Nevertheless: I'm really looking forward to the match!
Providing the infection rate allows it, there will be 6,000 spectators at the BayArena for the game. For the fans in the ground it will be the first Bundesliga home game in the stadium since the beginning of March. What's your memory of the Werkself fans? Are you looking forward to playing in front of them again?
There’s always a great atmosphere at Leverkusen as at most of the German stadiums. I particularly noticed the difference after my move to Monaco. Regardless of that: On the way to school I always used to go past the BayArena and every day I dreamed of being able to play there in front of fans one day.
Twelve years in the youth sides, three years in the first team: What’s your memory of your time at Leverkusen and which moments do you still particularly remember?
I've spent the majority of my life at this club. I still have a very special connection to Bayer 04. When the club management came to the Champions League draw in Monaco last year, we went out for a meal together. I also visited a number of former colleagues and youth coaches at Kurtekotten during the break enforced by the coronavirus pandemic in France.
How have you followed the Werkself over the past two years? What would you say about developments at the club?
I've watched lots of games. The team play really good football and always at a high level. On top of that, a number of players I'm in contact with said the coach and his playing philosophy fits in really well with Bayer 04.
You are not only involved with the Black Lives Matter campaign but are also involved locally in Leverkusen. For example, in the summer of this year you worked with the German Red Cross Society in Hitdorf in the district association of Leverkusen and donated an emergency vehicle for civil protection. Was it important to you to help out during these times of crisis?
I spoke to Joshua Kimmich (FC Bayern, ed.) about his We Kick Corona campaign. I wanted to be part of it and help out in my home town of Leverkusen. So I looked round for what support was needed and noticed straight away how grateful people were. That really pleased me.
Let's move on to football: What sort of game do you expect on Saturday? Will it be an attacking exchange?
Both Leverkusen and us have brought in players who need to find their feet in the teams. I still think it will be a game played at a very high level. On matchday two it will set a standard and also be an absolute top match.
Where do you think your current and former clubs will be at the end of the season?
That's difficult to say. Our clear target is qualifying for the Champions League. I think Bayer 04 will have the same aim. If all goes well then both teams will finish in the top four.
Final question: Has there been any teasing with former teammates ahead of the game? Has Jona called you up?
I've spoken to Jona in the past few days. It wasn't just about nutmegs or the final result. We’re just really looking forward to seeing each other again after such a long time.
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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To mark Exequiel Palacios’s departure, we’ve put together a compilation of the midfielder’s finest and most important goals from his six-and-a-half years at the club.
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