Aleix Garcia on…
…his first days under the Cross: "I feel very at home. I've been well received by the whole team. Xabi [Alonso] talks to me in Spanish, which makes it easier for me to settle at the moment. Everything's still new to me currently, but I've enjoyed the first days. The weather has also been great this week - I know it's not normally that similar to Spain (laughs). That's no problem, though. I'm here to play football and not for holiday!"
…his reasons for moving to Leverkusen: "It was a difficult decision. We built something at Girona last season and achieved a lot with qualification for the Champions League. Changes are part of football, though. I now see a great opportunity at Leverkusen to further my development and I'm very happy with my decision. I'm confident I'll find my feet quickly since we played a similar style at Girona."
…the role of head coach Xabi Alonso in the negotiations: "I followed Bayer 04 last season. They played great football and won trophies. Xabi explained on the phone what he expects from me. The first impression was very positive. Xabi was a magnificent player and is now a good coach. He's also an important reason why I signed for Bayer 04."
…his playing style and the high competition in his position: "I'm a midfielder, I like to move a lot. I like my position because I have direct contact with both the defence and the attack. I'm aware there's a lot of competition in my position. It won't be easy but I think competition is a good thing. Granit [Xhaka], Exequiel [Palacios] and Rob [Andrich] are good midfield players and we'll push each other forward. It's an honour for me to play with them. I'll work hard every day to show that I'm ready."
…the Bundesliga and early impressions of the Bayer 04 fans: "There are some other strong teams in the league who are also represented in Europe. Admittedly I've never played against a German team before but I expect a very physical and high-quality league. I've also spoken to a few people about the Bundesliga and they all said to me that the atmosphere is great, which I'm looking forward to. There have already been a lot of fans at training in the last few days - in Spain you might get that once or twice a year. I find that really nice here. I like the contact to the fans because at the end of the day, it's they who come to every match at the stadium and support the team. I'm already massively looking forward to the matches."
A first win in the preseason: In the last friendly before the start of a two-week break in training, the Bayer 04 Women beat top-flight Dutch side Ajax 1-0. In the match played over three 30-minute thirds Vanessa Fudalla scored the goal for the Werkself. In the previous two friendlies this summer, the team led by head coach Roberto Pätzold lost 2-0 two Bundesliga rivals TSG Hoffenheim and drew 1-1 with the Dutch team PEC Zwolle.
Show moreAlejo Sarco has joined the Werkself training camp in Brazil. The 19-year-old striker, signed from Argentinian club Vélez Sarsfield in January, talks to bayer04.de about his first six months in Germany, help from Exequiel Palacios and his targets up to the end of the year.
Show moreThe friendly against the CR Flamengo U20 team on Friday, 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) represents the sporting highlight of the current Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Ahead of the clash at the Estádio da Gávea against the highly successful youth team, there was a media event with the two Bayer 04 managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes plus head coach Erik ten Hag. The trio talked about the forthcoming opponents, first impressions of Brazil and the reasons for holding the training camp in the land of the five-time World Cup winners. Here are the key statements.
Show moreDay three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Today, Thursday 17 July, sees the two new signings Jarell Quansah and Christian Kofane join the squad in training. Plus the former Werkself players Paulo Sergio and Rodrigo Chagas visit the Bayer AG Football School. In the afternoon there is a big media event ahead of the friendly against the Flamengo U20s. As usual, Bayer04.de keeps you up-to-date with on-the-spot reports. The blog for day three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour (timings given in local time).
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