The team under head coach Peter Bosz have four days to go before the return to picking up points in the Bundesliga. The Black and Red squad have been based at the Hotel Große Ledder in Wermelskirchen since Monday night and have only left the site for training sessions at Bismarckstraße. The seven-day quarantine is required by the hygiene and health and safety concept of the DFL and a precondition for resuming the Bundesliga campaign. “I’m confident about the DFL concept. And everybody who had second thoughts about starting to play again has always had an answer,” said Tah in an online press conference.
The first weeks after the suspension of play at the start of March saw the Germany international and his teammates train at home. Tah and Co. returned to the training ground on 1 April, albeit in small groups at first. The Werkself have only been back in full training since 7 May. But the short run-in to the restart is not worried ahead of the restart. “In my opinion, every single player, who calls themselves a professional, should behave accordingly. That involves a healthy diet, good regeneration and professional training,” said Tah. “We had a lot of time in the break to do preventive work and get ready for the restart. So I’m in good shape.”
The central defender sees himself and the other Bundesliga players obliged to adhere to the hygiene and health and safety regulations. Tah adds: “We have a great responsibility; people at home and abroad will be watching us. Of course, you feel a bit of pressure. But we should be proud of being in a position to start again. This time has made you aware of things you’ve taken for granted in the past and value them much more.”
With a few days to go before the league restart, it is time for return of anticipation for the forthcoming games. “Even though the fans won’t unfortunately be there, our targets remain the same as before the games were suspended,” declared the 1.95 metre giant. You have to try and maintain commitment in training sessions and simulate the games coming up as best we can. Tah believes he will gradually come to terms with playing behind closed doors, “but I don’t want to get used to it.”
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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