Two weeks after the Bayer 04 goalkeeper Niklas Lomb visited the soccer school, it was the turn of Werkself defender Jonathan Tah to attend the "somewhat different" media event following today's training session.
At 12.30, the Werkself number four reached the packed press conference room at the BayArena with the 6- to 14-year-old kids from the Bayer 04 Soccer School waiting full of excitement. A few minutes later there was huge joy and applause when the door finally opened and the central defender entered the room.
Following the vocal welcome, the youngsters had the chance to put a wide variety of questions the giant defender: On his career as a football player, his best memories in a Black and Red shirt or his best buddy in the team. The answer from the Hamburg-born player to the last question: Edmond Tapsoba who the 26-year-old has formed the central defensive partnership at Leverkusen with since 2020.
The biggest laugh came in response to the question of which of his Germany teammates "fools about most." After a moment's thought, it was clear to Tah, who has been at Leverkusen since 2015: Leroy Sané – "He is definitely the biggest joker with his 'mop of hair' and he always has a cheeky word or two to say."
At the end of the questions, all of the 60 children were able to get one or several autographs on drink bottles, rucksacks or different parts of the kit. The requests covered a wide area: It didn't matter whether it was the shoulder or the number on the back – Tah met all the children's wishes, answering more questions from the inquisitive kids and he also took a number of selfies. One or two children thought of friends and family and they went for it two or three times: "For grandad, my best mate and the rest of the family," said one beaming boy.
Before Jona said goodbye there was time for a group photo with the smiling children and teenagers proudly standing in front of, behind and next to the defender.
A very successful afternoon for the visibly happy youngsters at the Bayer 04 Soccer School. And Tah was also enthusiastic about the event: "Events like this just make the most fun because you can see the excitement in the kids’ eyes and, of course, you get completely different questions than usual. (He laughs)”
A first win in the preseason: In the last friendly before the start of a two-week break in training, the Bayer 04 Women beat top-flight Dutch side Ajax 1-0. In the match played over three 30-minute thirds Vanessa Fudalla scored the goal for the Werkself. In the previous two friendlies this summer, the team led by head coach Roberto Pätzold lost 2-0 two Bundesliga rivals TSG Hoffenheim and drew 1-1 with the Dutch team PEC Zwolle.
Show moreThe current Werkself player Arthur, global star Vinícius Júnior and Brazil legend Zico – they all played for the youth teams at CR Flamengo. The U20 team at the big club from Rio de Janeiro is one of the best academies in Brazil and has produced a lot of stars as well as securing national and international trophies over the past few years. Ahead of the friendly against the Werkself today, Friday 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) bayer04.de profiles the highly successful youth team.
Show moreAlejo Sarco has joined the Werkself training camp in Brazil. The 19-year-old striker, signed from Argentinian club Vélez Sarsfield in January, talks to bayer04.de about his first six months in Germany, help from Exequiel Palacios and his targets up to the end of the year.
Show moreThe friendly against the CR Flamengo U20 team on Friday, 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) represents the sporting highlight of the current Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Ahead of the clash at the Estádio da Gávea against the highly successful youth team, there was a media event with the two Bayer 04 managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes plus head coach Erik ten Hag. The trio talked about the forthcoming opponents, first impressions of Brazil and the reasons for holding the training camp in the land of the five-time World Cup winners. Here are the key statements.
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