Back
12.05.2020Bundesliga

Hradecky: Tangible excitement

The Bayer 04 first team and staff checked in at the quarantine quarters in Wermelskirchen on Monday night. The Werkself, including the top management, sporting director, coaching and support staff, are staying at the Hotel Große Ledder until Sunday 17 May. After the first night at the conference hotel in Bergisches Land, owned by the Bayer Gastronomie GmbH, goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky shares his impressions – and looks forward to the Bundesliga clash at Werder Bremen on Monday, 18 May (kick-off: 20.30 CET).

Until Sunday’s departure for North Germany, the Werkself are commuting in two coaches between the training ground on Bismarckstraße and the hotel where they eating and being looked after, holding meetings and also spending their leisure time. “In this crisis there are people facing difficult challenges. Complaining and having fun always have their place in a football team. But it’s going well and we’ll easily get through this week,” explained Hradecky in an online media interview after today’s trading session.

League restart at Werder Bremen

The Finn prefers to concentrate on the forthcoming restart in Germany’s top flight. The level in the sessions is already very high in spite of the many weeks without full training sessions. “You can feel everybody’s excitement. We’re in a good position in the table and want to take that momentum into the rest of the season,” said the 30-year-old who highlighted the necessary increased communication on the pitch. “It was an important issue for us before the games were suspended and is not even more significant with the quiet of the stadiums with games played behind closed doors.”

The 1.92 metre giant does not yet know what sort of atmosphere awaits him and his teammates. The away game at Bremen’s Wohninvest Weserstadion will be the first match behind closed doors in Hradecky’s career to date. “Of course, we would prefer to play in front of fans. But, on Monday, it might be a slight advantage for us that Bremen won’t be playing in front of a full house at home,” explained the number one keeper who is hoping for more luck on the pitch for the Black and Reds compared with the game earlier in the season.

 

 

20191026_B04SVW_AY7W5987.jpg
At the end of October last year, the Werkself with goalkeeper Hradecky faced Bremen in front of a sold-out BayArena.

Hradecky set to quiz Frankfurt players

In the 2-2 draw at the end of October in front of a sold-out BayArena, Hradecky had to pick the ball out of his net twice from deflected shots from Milot Rashica (40’) and Davy Klaassen (48’). “That match was probably during our poorest phase of this season,” said the Finn. For the match in Bremen, he is hoping Werder feel “a bit more pressure” given their current position in the table – Bremen are 17th at the moment. Hradecky was however unable to make a prediction of whether favourites or underdogs would have more wins in games behind closed doors.

The Werkself keeper is in positive mood ahead of restarting the season with his team on Monday and rounding off matchday 26: “We will watch everything on TV at the hotel at the weekend. And after the games, I’ll definitely ask my former teammates at Frankfurt how it was so we’re prepared.”

sky_comeback_300x250.jpg

Related News

Bayer 04-Frauen
Women - 28.07.2026

Bayer 04 confirmed as a DFB women’s talent development centre

The German Football Association (DFB) has officially recognised Bayer 04 as a centre for the development of female talent for the 2026/27 season. The club was awarded that role on 1 January 2026, and this status has now been renewed.

Show more
Andrea Natali
Bayer 04 - 28.07.2026

Andrea Natali joins AZ Alkmaar on permanent deal

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have sold young defender Andrea Natali to AZ Alkmaar on permanent terms. The 18-year-old Italian was on loan at the Dutch club last season, where he mainly played for the reserve team in the second division.

Show more
Luca Erlein
Bayer 04 - 27.07.2026

Bayer 04 loan Luca Erlein to Energie Cottbus

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.

Show more
3-1 win in Offenbach: A treat for the fans | Friendly
Werkself-TV - 25.07.2026

TV highlights of 3-1 win in friendly at Offenbach

Werkself TV shows the highlights of the 3-1 victory in the friendly match at Kickers Offenbach...

Show more
Moreira
Bayer 04 - 25.07.2026

3–1 win in Offenbach: A treat for the fans

It’s always nice having your best friends round for a birthday! Bayer 04 made a guest appearance at Stadion am Bieberer Berg as part of Offenbacher Kickers’ 125th anniversary celebrations, and nearly 1,500 Werkself supporters accepted the invitation to this historic venue, joining the Offenbach crowd in celebrating the more than 45-year friendship between the clubs. On the pitch, the Werkself secured a 3–1 victory in the friendly against the fourth-tier Regionalliga side. The Leverkusen goals were scored by Christian Kofane (38’), Jonas Hofmann (48’) and Afonso Moreira (81’). Keanu Staude had put the hosts ahead in the first half (11’).

Show more