In the spring and summer of last year, a number of Werkself players similarly made the day of children at the Bayer 04 Soccer School. This time it was Nadiem Amiri who was happy to field a host of questions from the curious children and teenagers.
90 children came together after lunch and a stadium tour in the press conference room at the BayArena and eagerly awaited the arrival of the midfielder. There was huge applause when Amiri entered the room. The vocal welcome was followed by plenty of questions. The 6- to 14-year-olds questions included: "When did you start playing football?," "Who is your favourite player?," What's a day in the life of a professional footballer like?" Amiri revealed that his favourite game in a black and red shirt was the 4-3 home win against Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga in the 2019/20 season where he set up two goals.
One of the children wanted to know what Amiri was thinking when he made his Bundesliga debut. The answer from the 25-year-old midfielder: "It was one of the best days of my life. I always wanted to be a professional football player and I'm grateful for that every day. I came onto the pitch back then in the game against VfL Wolfsburg and I was thrown into the deep end straightaway because it felt like I only got to know about it 30 minutes earlier." The question about who he gets on best within the team set our number 11 thinking: "I actually got on very well with everybody." He added: "But I've known Kerem (Demirbay, ed), Karim (Bellarabi,ed) and Jonathan (Tah, ed), the longest – and I can speak German to them and that's not bad either. (He laughs)"
Following the round of questions there was obviously time for lots of autographs and photos. The 25-year-old Werkself midfielder signed shirts, shorts and boots and also mobile phone cases. After a group photograph, Amiri headed off to training leaving behind a roomful of beaming and clearly happy youngsters in the press conference room at the BayArena. The children then had another training session.
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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