Back
4.01.2021Youth

U11 New Year's wishes: 'Health and success for everybody!'

It's a long time ago: The last time the Bayer 04 U11 team played a game together was 3 October last year. That was followed by a second lockdown due to the increasing coronavirus infection rates, which resulted in the second suspension of training and matches for youth and amateur teams in 2020. What are the wishes and targets for the Bayer 04 U11s in the New Year? We asked them.
20200923_JS_U11_Mannschaften_0079.jpg

The great passion for their favourite sport is evident amongst the Werkself U11 squad during the suspension caused by coronavirus. "I hope I can finally start training with my lads again at Kurtekotten," said Gabriel Minutillo who played eleven friendlies with his team and coaching duo Sebastian Lang and Fritz Vosen in this season from August to the start of October before working from home and individual training started.

In their New Year's wishes, the 10-year-olds see the bigger picture away from football and, in addition to returning to full training, primarily want to see one thing: good health for everybody.

New Year's wishes of the U11 players:

Davud Alibasic: "I wish everybody a good start and I hope we can play more often this year compared with 2020. Thanks to all the staff at Bayer 04 who have always been and will be there for us."

Can Altuner: "I'm wishing for Bayer 04, and also for me, a successful year on the pitch and above all a healthy 2021 and, of course, finally getting back to playing normally. My motto for every training session and every game is: Battle with passion, win with pride, lose with respect – but never give up! That's how I want to approach 2021 with my lads."

Valon Bedzeti: "My wish is that everybody stays healthy and that we can soon be able to train and play under normal conditions again and, in a couple of years, we are all successful football players. One thing is particularly important to me: Fight for your team if you want your team to fight for you!"

Rayan Ben Ali: "My wish for the New Year is that we all remain healthy and happy and that we can soon defeat coronavirus. Then we can finally all get back to training and playing our games. A successful 2021 to all teams at Bayer 04!"

Celal Demir: "For me, in addition to the health of everybody around me, there is a target again like last year: It's not about being the best. It's about being better than yesterday at the end of the day."

Finn Grotthaus: "My wish for the club and the Werkself is a Champions League place at the end of the season."

Samuel Guie-Mien: "In 2021, I wish above all health for me, my family and my teammates and continuing great success at Bayer 04."

Diego Kampl: "I wish everybody much happiness and good health for the New Year and hope that all children will finally be able to play football again as normal. My personal wish is to be able to go to the stadium again with my father."

Emirhan Karabulut: "For the New Year, I wish that coronavirus disappears forever from our lives. And I wish the Bayer 04 family all the best for the New Year 2021. I hope we can all see each other again soon and matches and training together will be possible as in the old days. I really miss football. See you soon at Kurtekotten!"

Anderson Kussunga: "In addition to health for everybody, I wish from a personal sporting point of view that I can improve my right foot, increase my speed and successfully work on my technique."„

Adam Labari: "I wish the club, players, coaches and staff all the best for the future, the best possible success and above all health so that we can all be back on the pitch together soon."

Gabriel Minutillo: "In 2021, my wish is to be able to train with my lads again at Kurtekotten and that the Werkself end the season by qualifying for the Champions League."

Lindi Neimi: "I hope the first team continue to be so successful and can perhaps even end up as champions of Germany. When the pandemic has been beaten then I want to be able to train with my team at Kurtekotten again and play lots of games together."

Yaron Ommer: "I wish the whole youth section at Bayer 04 all the best for the New Year. Stay healthy. I hope we can see each other again as soon as possible and then give it our all in every training session, every game and every tournament."

Chahin Sathi: "Unfortunately, for us 2020 was mainly a year without normal contact with our friends, training sessions and matches. But we’re now starting the new year full of energy and anticipation."

Training sessions and matches remain suspended in the youth and amateur game. The timing of the return to the pitch is dependent on the development of the pandemic.

Related News

Willkommen in Leverkusen, Afonso Moreira! Erstes Interview und exklusive Aufnahmen
Werkself-TV - 18.06.2026

Afonso Moreira: First interview and exclusive footage 🎥👋

From his arrival at the airport, the medical and contract signing, right through to photo shoots, his very own trading card and his first interview at the BayArena: Werkself TV followed new signing Afonso Moreira up close on his first day in Leverkusen. In the interview, the 21-year-old Portuguese left-winger, who has joined the Werkself from Lyon, talks about his excitement ahead of joining Bayer 04 and the Bundesliga, as well as his conversation with head coach Carles Martínez. Moreira also reveals the secret behind his iconic goal celebration – which he intends to perform “as often as possible” at the BayArena next season...

Show more
Clinton Wilson mit Bernd Korzynietz und Kim Falkenberg
U19 - 18.06.2026

Bayer 04 sign Clinton Wilson from Schalke 04

A new signing for the U19s: Bayer 04 have signed winger Clinton Wilson from Schalke 04. The 18-year-old previously played for Leverkusen youth teams from January to June 2024.

Show more
Ida Daedelow
Women - 17.06.2026

Ida Daedelow signs for VfL Bochum

After eight years, Ida Daedelow is set to leave Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The 18-year-old, whose original contract was due to run to 2027, is joining second-division side VfL Bochum.

Show more
Die Trainer-Konstellationen 2026/27 im Aufbaubereich
Youth - 16.06.2026

Youth: Coaching line-ups for U11 to U15 teams in 2026/27

As with the other youth teams (U16 to U19), Bayer 04 are also relying on familiar faces—some in new roles—and fresh impetus from the coaching staff for the 2026/27 season in the younger age groups. An overview of the U11 to U15 teams.

Show more