…the importance of the final to Bayer 04: We've worked hard over the whole season to compete in three competitions and to finally get through to a cup final again after many years. The Bundesliga season has just finished. It was a good campaign in the league for us with a high number of points and a lot of good performances – but it wasn't very good otherwise we would have finished third or fourth. Now we are looking forwards and are happy to be in the running for a title. At the end of the season, we have two big highlights ahead of us with the cup final and the Europa League – normally only FC Bayern in Germany know that feeling.
…the cup final opponents from Munich: Under Hansi Flick, Bayern don't let you play your own game with their quick and aggressive pressing in most matches. So you know more or less what to expect. But it's not always possible to prevent that at this world-class level. We definitely need to take the chances we create. The fact is: When you play against Bayern – whether it's in the Bundesliga or in the cup final – every player from number one to eleven, plus the substitutes, has to produce a top performance.
…chances of winning the cup: Bayern are the clear favourites and they fully deserved to win their eighth league title in succession. Over the same period, they have "only" won the cup four times. That shows a lot is possible in one game. Of course, everything has to work against this team and everyone has to push themselves beyond their limits – but it is possible to beat them.
…the delegation from Bayer 04: The numbers are significantly down this year due to coronavirus. Normally, nearly all full-time staff would be in Berlin but now it's mainly the shareholders committee led by Werner Wenning. It was also important to us and FC Bayern that players who appear from time to time but are not in the squad for Saturday are allowed to sit in the stands.
…the crowded fixture list during the coronavirus pandemic: The situation is very stressful for everybody involved. But this is an unusual time due to the pandemic that you have to accept and deal with.
…the absence of spectators at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin: Basically, we are all happy to be able to play again and stage the cup final. Of course, our fans won’t be there. After the many years, the final at the Olympic Stadium would have been an absolute highlight. Unfortunately we can't all experience it. But we have thought up some great ideas for the fans about how they can best support the team on Saturday. And hopefully in the end go on to win the second cup title in the history of Bayer 04.
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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