"Matej Kovar is big, strong in one-on-ones and is very good with his feet," said Simon Rolfes, Bayer 04 sporting managing director, in describing the qualities of the Czech keeper. "He's a player with great prospects and we have high hopes for him in the coming years."
Kovar made 32 appearances as the number one keeper at Sparta Prague last season and he kept a clean sheet 11 times. Before his move to Germany, he had detailed discussions with his Czech fellow countrymen, the former Leverkusen player Michal Kadlec. "Michal not only told me all about the Bundesliga but also Bayer 04 Leverkusen in particular," said the goalkeeper. "He described the club to me in glowing detail. I'm very excited about the quality of this team. From what I've seen so far, I can hardly wait for the next few years."
Bayer 04 welcome Union Berlin to a sold-out BayArena for Matchday 29 in the Bundesliga this Saturday (3.30pm CEST), with this game all about families. Here’s all you need to know in our matchday news.
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Two of the most in-form teams in the Bundesliga face each other in front of a full house at the BayArena on Saturday, 12 April (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Ahead of the Werkself game against Union Berlin, head coach Xabi Alonso talked about a reinvigorated FCU, two returnees to the squad and the state of play in the table.
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Union Berlin are currently on a run after a previously turbulent season with lots and highs and lows. The Irons now look to have escaped worries of relegation with ten points won in the last four games. Nevertheless, the team coached by Steffen Baumgart, recently very strong away from home, will go into the next game in Leverkusen with the usual high intensity on Saturday, 12 April (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Here we go again: Bayer 04 are again organising a traditional family matchday, presented by main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, for the Werkself Bundesliga home game against Union Berlin (Saturday, 12 April, 15:30 CEST). Werkself fans can look forward to family-friendly offers and a wide-ranging programme of events in and around the BayArena with plenty of games plus activities to join in with. There will also be an exclusive kit sale at the Bayer 04 Fanwelt. Read on for information on the family matchday.
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