Jona, this season there have been three close but very different matches against FC Bayern in the Bundesliga (1-1, 0-0) and in the DFB Pokal (1-0). Bayern Munich had the upper hand at times but recently you dominated the game in the league. How do you expect Bayern Munich will play on Wednesday?
Tah: A top team with lots of experience in this competition. There will definitely be two different games. Away there will be moments where the opposition perhaps has more control. Then we have to show that defensive work can also be fun. They will be challenging games but that's exactly what we're looking forward to. We don't have to fear any team as we've already shown often enough. And we want to show that again now.
It's the first game against Bayern in the Champions League. How do you feel about matches between two teams from the same country playing each other at the start of the knockout phase in the new format of the Champions League?
Tah: It's a bit of a pity for the nation and the Bundesliga because a German team will definitely go out. But the same also applies to the match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. That's the way it’s set up. I think the new Champions League format is good and I've really enjoyed it so far. In the league phase there was always one game home or away against each opponent where you have to be fully committed.
You've now gone six games without defeat against Bayern. How do see the fixture going now?
Tah: I think both teams are absolutely at the same level and I believe the two best German teams with the best, most attractive and most successful football now face each other. That's exactly why there will be two special games. We are very much looking forward to both matches.
The away section for the first leg in Munich has obviously been sold out for a long time and the tickets for the return match at home a week later were sold out straightaway. How important is the support of our fans in these two games?
Tah: Extremely important, of course. It can really help us players when you feel the fans are really into the game. The atmosphere at the BayArena at home games has been brilliant recently. And also away from home it’s always a great feeling because you know that we have our tight circle and always stick together. Exactly that support can make the difference in the end in games like this. So my appeal to all fans: Carry on exactly as you are! We are grateful for your support.
This special event showed once again how strong Bayer 04 are as a team: As part of ‘BarmeniaGothaer gives joy’, the Werkself players Edmond Tapsoba, Ibrahim Maza and Christian Kofane supported the sale of individually designed T-shirts for a good cause at the Fanwelt on Thursday. Several hundred fans came to take part in the charity campaign. Leverkusen's main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer donated the proceeds to the Fondation Edmond Tapsoba, which helps people in Tapsoba's home country of Burkina Faso in their challenging everyday lives.
Show more
With three games to play before the end of the season, the Bayer 04 Women can break one record and equal another at SGS Essen. After three wins on the bounce, coach Roberto Pätzold's team are aiming to maintain the chance of third place in Sunday’s away game (14:00 CEST, Stadion an der Hafenstraße).
Show more
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
Show more
From Ouagadougou to Leverkusen – and back: in March, Bayer 04 travelled with Edmond Tapsoba for a special project in his homeland Burkina Faso. The country where his roots and heart lie. The country where he’s more than a world-class defender: a symbol of hope and a role model for an entire generation. The result is a 45-minute documentary about Tapsoba’s long journey from Africa via Portugal to Leverkusen, which offers extraordinary, one-off and emotional insights.
Show more
Edmond Tapsoba has signed an early extension to his contract with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. With two years left on his current deal, the 27-year-old Burkina Faso international has extended his contract until 30 June 2031. The centre-back joined as a young talent from Portuguese top-flight club Vitoria Guimaraes at the start of 2020.
Show more
