
But there was more to do after that. Bellarabi made his way to the hotel lobby for the first "04 questions from others, 04 questions from you." In his interview he talked about his time in rehab, looks to the future and answers fans questions submitted via Facebook and Twitter.
Karim, you were the fastest in the lactate test today. To be honest: How tough was it?
Karim Bellarabi: "It was really hard work – even though it was just running. But you're pushed right to the limit in the lactate tests and it can be tough. But everything went well and it was fun. I'm just glad to be back again."
Are you 100 per cent fit again?
Karim Bellarabi: "I feel really good and there’s no sign of the injury. I don't have problems from that point of view. If you want to put it as a percentage then perhaps I'm at 95 or 96 at the moment. I'll definitely make up the rest."
What did you most look forward to during your time in rehab?
Karim Bellarabi: "I just wanted one thing: to get back on the pitch as soon as possible. That's why I went there every day and put myself through the mill. But it's certainly been worth it!"
Following that difficult period: How much are you looking forward to the training camp and, above all, the second half of the season?
Karim Bellarabi: I'm really keen! The facilities here in Orlando are great and it's perfect for us to prepare for the second half of the season. We want to fight all the way!"
@alexis_M_29 Who was the most important coach for you in your career?
Karim Bellarabi: "There are two: firstly, Roger Schmidt but also Thorsten Lieberknecht from Braunschweig. I really learned a lot from both of them and developed a lot."
@Crash22Crash Have you ever faced an opponent quicker than yourself?
Karim Bellarabi: "I haven’t met one so far. (He laughs) No, that's a joke. Of course, there are lots of opponents who who are fast but nobody in particular springs to mind."
Markus Ernst: What do you think the chances are of qualifying for the Champions League again?
Karim Bellarabi: "The fact is we're ninth at the moment. But it's also a fact that we want to move up the table as quickly as possible. We want to do our best in the second half of the season and then see what happens at the end of the day."
Markus Sosnov: What tattoos have you got and what they mean to you?
Karim Bellarabi: "First, I have a tattoo of my mother and it's clear what that means. Then I've got an anchor and that represents my home town of Bremen. And I have a wing on each arm and that's supposed to symbolise an eagle because that's my favourite animal.”


The VBL Club Championship by WOW 2025/26 continues today, Tuesday 18 November, with the last two of the six online preliminary round matches in the second showdown. Starting at 18:00 CET, Bayer 04 face Karlsruher SC, followed by Borussia Mönchengladbach at 19:00 CET. The games will be streamed live on the Bayer 04 app and on the club Twitch channel. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Just 11 days after their last encounter in the Bundesliga, Bayer 04 Women meet Hamburger SV again. On Sunday (15:00 CET), the two teams will be battling it out at the Volksparkstadion for a place in the DFB Cup quarter-finals. Coach Roberto Pätzold is aware of his team's status as favourites against the promoted outfit - and knows what it will come down to against the awkward opponents.
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Bayer 04 Women goalkeeper Charlotte Voll has been hit by injury again. The 26-year-old suffered an acromioclavicular joint separation in her left shoulder in the latter stages of the Bundesliga match at SC Freiburg on Monday and is set to be sidelined for a number of months. She underwent successful surgery in Düsseldorf on Friday.
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Like they did in the first showdown of the VBL Club Championship by WOW, which the Leverkusen gamers won in spectacular style, Marc and Sean Landwehr also started the second showdown with six points by beating TSG Hoffenheim and VfL Bochum 1848, last-16 participants of the first showdown. The #B04eSports team suffered defeat to SV Darmstadt 98 and Hertha BSC. Meanwhile, Keanu Senkbeil made his VBL CC debut in the clash with the capital club.
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The Bayer 04 Women will end 2025 with the Bundesliga top match against Bayern Munich on Monday night, 22 December. The schedule for matchdays 12 to 15 has been announced by the German Football Association (DFB). In addition to two away games on Fridays, Leverkusen also have a home game on a Saturday lunchtime.
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