In the best of moods, Lukas Hradecky opened the round of questions with a resounding “Who’s brought questions with them?” – an invitation for the well-prepared kids who wrote their questions in advance on notes. Just like experienced journalists.
For starters, Hradecky and youth keeper Schlich explained how they ended up between the sticks. Hradecky: “Every child played football in our neighbourhood. So I wanted to as well. It was fun from the start for me and it still is every time even after 30 years,” said the 35-year-old: “Besides that, I wasn’t really any good as an outfield player and I didn’t like running that much. (He laughs) That was my position from day one.”
Schlich, who was taking part in a children’s press conference for the first time: “I always used to play in the garden with my cousins before my parents registered me with a club. I was a striker at first. One day our keeper was sidelined so I volunteered, had fun doing it and I have maintained that up to today. Joy and trouble are so close to each other in goal and that's the big thing for me."
Hradecky added with a wink: "And as goalkeepers we are able to eat sweets more often than the others – so think carefully about which position you choose!" (He laughs)
The children asked if they always had role models. Hradecky quipped: "Not really. But my nickname is the 'Finnish spider’ and I always wanted to be Spider Man and shoot nets out of my hands so I could save every shot." Schlich gave a prompt response: "Lukas Hradecky," which brought loud applause including from the man sat next to him.
And the best game in your career? Schlich: "The first game in the UEFA Youth League – the Champions League for youth players – against Feyenoord this season. It was my first game on the European stage. We won it and I was very happy with myself. The most emotional for me was the semi-final win on penalties against Eintracht Frankfurt in last season's battle for the German title.“ For Hradecky is was the 3-0 victory against Bayern Munich in the double winning season.
"But what would have happened if it hadn't worked out with football?," asked a girl in the front row. "Then I would have liked to have been a bus driver – I used to sketch streets. Also I was good at school student particularly in geography," said the Werkself captain. The best subject for 17-year-old Schlich, who is still going to school, is mathematics.
Hradecky also revealed he likes watching tennis and padel in addition to football, Schlich is primarily interested for the game with a ball in the hand: "My two sisters play handball that's why I often watch it. And I also used to play handball alongside football."
There were also one or two questions where the two keepers did not have a suitable answer ready: The question about how they would explain the offside rule in simple terms to children left the two of them floundering.
A group photo was taken at the end. After that the children busily collected autographs and the signature of mascot Brian the Lion was also keenly sought. Whether on autograph cards, jerseys or balls – the players were happy to meet all requests...
A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
Show more
On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
Show more
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.
Show more
When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
Show more
Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
Show more
