Bastian, what's your assessment of the season so far?
We're very happy overall up to now. We've been able to develop a new DNA. Particularly after a poor season last term, we owed our fans a lot.
You're playing for Schalke against your former club Bayer 04 on Saturday on matchday 14. Is this game special for you?
Of course, Bayer 04 are my hometown club. I went there when I was ten so it's always special to play against them – above all at the BayArena. I will often went there as a kid and I'll definitely see one or two familiar faces again on Saturday.
What sort of game are you expecting?
Leverkusen are a very strong side as they've very often shown this season. We are definitely up against one of the best teams in the league on Saturday. We'll have to be on top of our game to get a result.
You were born in Bergisch Gladbach and grew up in the region. How much support will you have in the stands at the weekend?
My family still lives in Bergisch Gladbach. Everybody goes to the game when we play at Leverkusen. So I'll have to organise some tickets again for Saturday.
You were in nearly all the youth teams at Bayer 04. Is there one particular highlight that stands out from that time?
I'll never forget the U19 Bundesliga final against Bayern Munich (2006/07, ed.). We played in front of 22,000 crowd at the BayArena and won 2-1 after extra time. That was particularly special – above all at such a young age.
Finally, the obligatory question: What's your prediction for the game against your former club?
I obviously hope we win and I think we can do it by a one-goal margin.
The Werkself host Paris Saint-Germain on the third matchday of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, 21 October (kick-off: 21:00 CEST) in what promises to be a thrilling encounter at the BayArena. Ahead of the clash against the reigning champions from the French capital, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the positive development of his team and the great qualities of PSG. Defender Loïc Badé spoke about the great motivation for the match against the top team from his home country.
Show moreWith two wins against Atalanta and Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain have made a perfect start to the league phase of the UEFA Champions League. The defending champions visit the BayArena on Tuesday, 21 October (kick-off: 21:00 CEST). The Werkself will have their work cut out for them on Matchday 3. PSG's attacking line-up is one of the best that European club football has to offer. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreThe Bayer 04 U19s got their UEFA Youth League campaign off to a flying start with two wins. After the successful duels with FC Copenhagen (2-0) and PSV Eindhoven (3-2), the top team from Paris Saint-Germain now awaits. The home game against the youngsters of the reigning Champions League winners on Tuesday, 21 October (kick-off: 14:00 CEST/livestream on bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app), at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium will be a challenge, not least due to several players missing from the Werkself squad - but one that head coach Kevin Brok and his team are happy to accept: "We want to get the maximum out of every game, this time too!"
Show moreAfter a flawless tournament with only victories in the group and knockout stages, Argentina narrowly missed out on the title at the U20 World Cup in Chile. In the final on Monday night, Bayer 04 player Alejo Sarco and his fellow countrymen lost 2-0 to Morocco. Both goals were scored in the first half of the match played in Santiago de Chile. Sarco played for the first 60 minutes.
Show moreWerkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-5 loss against VfL Wolfsburg on the 7th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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