The Spanish journalists in the compact media room at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, painted in the club colours of green and white, had an easy ride: Both Seoane and Ecuadorian new signing Hincapie answered the questions from the Spaniards in their own language. The head coach explained: "My parents are Spanish and we always spoke Spanish at home. We usually used to come here on holiday. Part of my family still lives here today and I also have a Spanish passport."
In his home away from home, Seoane with the Werkself faces Real Betis who are currently eighth in La Liga. "They're going through a good phase. We definitely can't deviate from our game plan and we need a controlled performance," said Seoane. The Andalusians are just two points behind second-placed Real Madrid in the league. The experience of the hosts is not to be denied as the Swiss boss explained: "They are a strong group, play with determination – but they also have high individual quality." And with Manuel Pellegrini, a coach who, according to Seoane, "has made his mark wherever he has worked. He is very intelligent and experienced. A great personality."
In addition to Julian Baumgartlinger, Charles Aránguiz with a calf injury is another central midfield player who is ruled out by injury for the match in Seville. Seoane: "Of course, it's sad because Charly is very important to us." But the 42-year-old talked about the strength of other candidates for this position in the squad: "We are happy that Robert Andrich is available again after suspension in the Bundesliga. He's a very important player with his strength in the tackle."
Exequiel Palacios has not had much time on the training ground since his cold, Nadiem Amiri has slight thigh problems after picking up a knock in the game against Bayern Munich.
Piero Hincapie, who joined Bayer 04 from his home country of Ecuador in the summer, has played in the previous two Europa League group matches. The 19-year-old has said he has settled down well in his new home of Germany – also due to the many South American, Spanish or Portuguese speaking teammates. "Charly (Charles Aránguiz, ed.) and Co. talk to me a lot and that has made it very easy for me to settle in," said the versatile defender who was last in action for Ecuador in the South American World Cup qualifiers. "I feel 100% fit in spite of all the travelling." That includes the away match in the south of Spain.
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 moreTo all Bayer 04 fans: The Fanwelt will be closed all day next Monday 30 June. This is due to preparations for the change of kit supplier from Castore to New Balance on Tuesday 1 July.
Show moreThe Norway U23 international Julie Jorde has completed the move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Brøndby IF. The twelve-time champions of Denmark have signed the midfielder on permanent terms after her loan move from the Bundesliga to Denmark in the winter.
Show moreIt is almost two years since Bayer 04 new signing Abdoulaye Faye first stepped foot into the BayArena as a player for the Swedish club BK Häcken in the opening match in the 2023/24 Europa League campaign. A day before his nineteenth birthday, the central defender did not play in the 4-0 win for the Werkself but it was "an incredible night" for him on 21 September 2023 as he explained in his first interview on bayer04.de. "I watched the players and saw the fans. I liked it." It was also the first European night early on in his career. He only joined the then champions of Sweden in the cold north of Europe from his home in Senegal a few weeks before that special moment. Bayer04.de profiles our new defender.
Show moreWelcome, Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old Senegalese central defender joins Leverkusen from top-flight Swedish club BK Häcken. In his first interview he talks about his move to Bayer 04 and his targets with the Werkself.
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