Diego, how are you doing in these exciting days for Bayer 04? How did you experience the Bundersliga title race?
Placente: I wrote to Exequiel Palacios straight away and told him that he and his teammates made me and all the Leverkusen fans feel very relieved when it was finally over. (laughs) There were many, many years where Bayer 04 had a very good squad and were often close to winning the championship, but in the end it never quite worked out. This season was different. I went to bed very happy that day.
You were also close to winning the German championship with Bayer 04 more than 20 years ago...
Placente: Yes, unfortunately it never quite worked out back then. We were often teased at away games by the opposing fans singing that we would never become German champions. Fortunately, that will never happen again. We lacked a bit of that final punch towards the end of the campaign. But it was never in doubt this season, the title is more than deserved.
There could be two more trophies this season. The week begins with the first of two cup finals on Wednesday evening in Dublin in the Europa League against Atalanta. What do you think of the Werkself's chances in this clash?
Placente: Atalanta are a very strong side physically, so it won't be easy. For me it's a 50:50 game, both can win. But of course my heart is with Leverkusen and I'll be cheering them on!
Three days later, the action continues with the DFB Pokal final against 1. FC Kaiserslautern in Berlin. It could be the crowning glory of what has already been a historic season...
Placente: The team have worked hard for this chance throughout the season. They have a lot of confidence, especially after winning the league. This title has been liberating, but they will by no means rest on their laurels. That's not their mentality.
Do you see any similarities between the team from the 2001/02 season and the current side?
Placente: Above all, it's these very special characters in the team; such an extraordinary season can only be achieved with mentally strong players. The playing styles of the two teams, on the other hand, are rather different, as are the starting positions: back then, we were the underdogs in pretty much every game and that's how we went into them, especially in the Champions League against the really big teams in Europe. The Leverkusen of today, no matter who they're up against, implement their own style and pay little attention to their opponents.
What message would you like to send to Bayer 04 fans at the end of this historic season?
Placente: I'd like to congratulate all the fans on winning the Bundesliga, you deserve it so much! Many, many people here in Argentina also support Leverkusen, they love watching the team's football. I'm proud of the players, the coaches, the club management and the fans - you've all done a terrific job so far! I hope and believe that you will carry on having similar success.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-2 loss against VfL Wolfsburg on the 2nd matchday of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga 2026/27.
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Bayer 04’s eight opponents in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League have been confirmed. At the draw on Friday 28 August held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, the Werkself were drawn against two opponents from each of the four pots. There are a total of four home and four away matches. Read on for details of opponents and fixture dates.
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In the 3-2 defeat at Bundesliga newcomers SV 07 Elversberg, the Werkself found the back of the net in the closing stages and, with a bit of luck, could still have equalised. “Today, our play wasn’t good enough, particularly when it came to the basics,” said head coach Carles Martínez. Like the boss, Ibrahim Maza also wants to learn from the match and look ahead: “Next week, people should be able to see from the very first minute that we want it more than our opponents.” The Werkself review on the Bundesliga opener in 2026/27.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-3 loss at SV 07 Elversberg on Matchday 1 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season...
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No points to start the league campaign: Bayer 04 lost 3-2 away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg in the first Bundesliga match of the 2026/27 campaign. Two quick-fire goals from Lukas Petkov (8’) and Cole Campbell (10’) gave the hosts an early lead, before David Mokwa scored the Saarland side’s third shortly after half-time (46’). In the closing stages, the Werkself rallied and staged a late comeback with goals from Patrik Schick (77’) and Christian Kofane (90+1’), but the Black and Reds were denied an equaliser.
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