28.03.2024Youth

Sydney FC U19s in Leverkusen: ‘I've never experienced anything like it’

The U19 team of Australian club Sydney FC spent an eventful day at Bayer 04 ahead of Easter weekend as part of an upcoming tournament in Düsseldorf. The visit to a training session with the Werkself first team was followed by a match with the Leverkusen youngsters at the Kurtekotten performance centre. The boss of the Australian first division team, who had travelled with and is no stranger to football in Germany, drew a very positive conclusion of his time at Bayer 04.

As part of their 12-day trip to Germany, a visit to Leverkusen was on the agenda after a friendly match against Schalke in the middle of the week. The visit started in the morning with an exclusive tour of the BayArena and ended at the Bundesliga team's training ground.

There, the young Australian players got to watch Edmond Tapsoba, Jonas Hofmann & Co. train under the guidance of Xabi Alonso and his coaching staff.

Jefta Bresser, head of the performance centre at Bayer 04, emphasised during the visit: “It's always interesting for us to see how football is played in other parts of the world. Such sporting comparisons and exchanges off the pitch are very important and helpful for all sides.”

A goal-filled friendly

After lunch, the Australian entourage then headed to the Kurtekotten performance centre, where a practice match against a mixed Bayer 04 U19/U17 team was the sporting highlight of the day. And it turned into an intense, high-scoring game in which it went back and forth. The lead changed hands time and again, with the match ultimately ending 5-4 in favour of the visiting Sydney side.

BAUMJOHANN: “Incredibly well organised”

The Australian travelling party also included long-time Bundesliga player Alexander Baumjohann, now head of player management at the A-League club after two years as a player at Sydney FC. Following the match, the Bundesliga champion and two-time DFB Cup winner spoke of an “incredibly well-organised day by Bayer 04. I've never experienced anything like it. The club and the people in charge took great care of us, our players and we were very impressed.”

The contact between Sydney FC and Bayer 04 came about through Baumjohann and Simon Rolfes, managing director for sport at the current Bundesliga leaders. Baumjohann said: “We used to play against each other a lot and spoke a year or two ago. When it became clear that we would be taking part in the Easter tournament in Düsseldorf, I got in touch again, and that's how this wonderful day came about.”

Sydney FC are the first Australian club to take part in the international Easter tournament in Düsseldorf. From Thursday evening to Easter Monday, clubs from Germany and Sydney FC will face teams including Everton (England), Nordsjaelland (Denmark) and a Japanese university XI.

Related News

Youth - 12.06.2026

U17 coach Benjamin Adam leaves Bayer 04 for Rostock

After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.

Women - 10.06.2026

Women: International round-up - Wamser and Kramer in World Cup finals

There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.

Bayer 04 - 10.06.2026

Where to Watch the Bayer 04 Stars in North America

Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!

Bayer 04 - 09.06.2026

New seating for the BayArena - donation and reuse of existing seats

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.