Juliette, you started in your first game for Bayer 04 – in the 3-2 opening win at Freiburg. What was your Bundesliga debut like?
Vidal: I was nervous but full of anticipation at the same time. The team had great energy on the pitch and the mentality of never giving up. Fortunately that paid off in the end. The fact the game was so physical suited my style of play. Now I'm looking forward to our next challenges.
Do you know the background to your surname in Leverkusen?
Vidal: As a child, I looked out for players who had my surname. Then I thought: Oh, there's Arturo Vidal from Chile, how cool. But to be honest I didn't know that he played here until I signed for Leverkusen. Then I read the comments on social media… (she laughs).
Arturo Vidal played for Leverkusen from 2007 to 2011 and scored 15 goals in 117 games as a defensive midfielder. You can also play in defensive midfield. Could his time at Bayer 04 be a role model for you?
Vidal: Of course, that would be an interesting target. I don't look so far into the future but why not? I've nothing against it.
What's your favourite position on the pitch?
Vidal: Where I play completely depends on the set-up as a team. I can play in defensive midfield and I like it when there are lots of players around me. As a central defender I have the game in front of me and I can play passes in different directions. I've also played at left-back but I don't think that will be the case here. But that would be okay in an emergency (she laughs).
How would you describe your style of play?
Vidal: I like attacking the ball in a high press. My aim is always to give 100% regardless of the scoreline. That mentality is one of my strengths. During my time at FC Basel, several German players advised me to switch to the Bundesliga as the league is known for its intense tackles and challenges.
Last season you won the league title with Anderlecht: What was the season like and what does winning that trophy mean to you?
Vidal: We had a strong winning mentality built on winning six league titles in succession before. That meant every training session was very intense, we knew what we were working for, that was our mindset and our clear target. At that club it was not an option to win the title but more of an expectation. We were the ones being chased in every game. When we finally withstood that pressure then the relief and the joy were even greater. It was a special kind of pressure that you get used to incredibly quickly.
You opted for a rather unusual squad number of 56 – why was that?
Vidal: In France every departement has a number, my hometown Morbihan in Brittany has the number 56. We are very proud of our departments and 56 was just right as I don't have any special favourite number. On top of that, five and six are also my positions on the pitch.
What do you think you and your new team can achieve this season?
Vidal: We have a lot of quality in the team and the coach gives is a very concrete idea of playing which we are more and more taking on board. Of course, a lot of the other teams are difficult to assess but I'm very confident overall. Personally I'd like to play as many games as possible and enjoy my time on the pitch regardless of in which position.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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A successful fourth preseason friendly ahead of the start of the training camp: The Werkself secured a 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The goals in what was a commanding and dominant performance by Leverkusen from the outset were scored by Ibrahim Maza (8'), Patrik Schick from the penalty spot (23’) and, in the second half, Montrell Culbreath with a header (79’). The team set off for their training camp in Blankenhain in the Weimarer Land region after the game.
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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 personal 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…
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You have voted – your ‘Team of the Quarter-Century’ has been decided! This historic selection, covering the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2024, features honorary captains, Bundesliga champions, double winners and Champions League finalists. Edmond Tapsoba is the only player from the current Bayer 04 squad to make it into the starting XI, while his team-mate Patrik Schick is on the bench. Simon Rolfes, the current managing director sport, is also in the lie-up. A truly special team that brings together a quarter of a century of Bayer 04 history – and has left a decisive mark on the club.
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