Karim, you’ve announced the end of your time at the club after twelve years today. How does it feel now you’ve made that decision?
Karim: When you make a decision like that then it’s something you’ve thought about for a long time. I’ve played football all my life. I’ve been to training every day since I was six. After twelve years at Leverkusen, I feel grateful that I’ve had such a great time here. We’ll see if it carries on in the same way but it’s a great change that is exciting but also very emotional for me. I definitely won’t carry on playing in Germany. It wouldn’t feel right having to play against Leverkusen.
The semi-final second leg is the most important game in the club’s history for over 20 years. What does the game mean to Bayer 04 and for you?
Karim: We as a team, and everybody who is part of Bayer 04, feel that it’s a very special situation and that anything is possible. We are so close to achieving something really great together. Everybody is aware of that. I can’t play but I’m also highly motivated, will obviously be there and I will play my part so that we can all go to the final together.
The euphoria has been evident for weeks throughout the club, with the team and the fans. There was an incredible reception from the fans at the Europa League quarter-final home game against Union Saint-Gilloise (1-1), brilliant choreography, thousands of fans have followed the team away wherever they’ve been and you were also celebrated after the Europa League quarter-final win at Union Saint-Gilloise in Brussels (4-1). How have you seen the support over recent weeks?
Karim: It’s actually striking how positive the support has been in all of the last few months but it has developed throughout the year. We feel the support from the fans, we are as one – on good and bad days. It’s a very special and very warm-hearted relationship. Above all for me when they sing my song (he laughs). I will miss those moments.
Preparations for the final games are going ahead at full speed. Share your feelings with us: What will it be like for you to know that you will be receive a farewell at the final home game of the season at the BayArena against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday 21 May (kick-off: 19.30 CEST) and what would you want on the day?
Karim: I’ve been here for more than a decade, Leverkusen is my home. That’s why it’s a really funny feeling. On the other hand, I’m sure I’ll come back here again to watch cool games with the fans and really get behind the lads. I’m looking forward to that in the future. So, for me it’s not a farewell forever.
And now to Thursday: Hand on heart, what do you expect?
Karim: We can do it. We want it. We will give our all. We will work hard with the fans and with everybody who works hard every day for this title. Achieving that with Leverkusen would absolutely be my dream come true.
The Werkself host VfL Bochum at the BayArena on Bundesliga Matchday 27. Today's game, on Friday 28 March, kicks off at 20:30 CET and there are several events planned. The matchday news on the clash with the team from Castroper Straße.
Show moreVfL Bochum are unbeaten in their last three Bundesliga away matches. The club from the Ruhr inflicted the first home defeat on league leaders Bayern Munich at the start of the month. The Blue and Whites visit the BayArena on Friday night, 28 March (kick-off: 20:30 CET) in the opening fixture on Bundesliga Matchday 27. And the team led by coach Dieter Hecking believe they also stand a chance against last season's double winners. Not least because their top striker is available again. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreThe Werkself returned to the training ground at the start of the week after a short rest during the international break. Head coach Xabi Alonso welcomed back six players from international duty for the session on Wednesday morning in preparation for the Bundesliga home game against VfL Bochum on Friday, 28 March (kick-off: 20:30 CET).
Show moreTwelve Werkself players are in action with their national teams in the current international break. Some of them are playing in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, others in qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Read on for the blog on international fixtures involving Bayer 04 players.
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