“Alejo Sarco is a pledge to the future of Bayer 04 Leverkusen,”said sporting managing director Simon Rolfes at the announcement of the transfer. On the strengths of the young player, who will wear the number 18 shirt for the Werkself, the 42-year-old said: "He is a technically gifted player, fast, agile and assertive in challenges." In addition, his strength in finishing completes the profile of a modern centre-forward.
Sarco grew up in the interior of Argentina. At the age of 13 he left his home region and followed the call of the top-flight club Vélez Sarsfield who have one of the best youth academies in Argentina. The ambitious striker developed into professional player with the Intercontinental Cup winners of 1994 from the capital Buenos Aires. He made his first division debut in April of this year. Sarco then made his most striking performance to date two weeks later.
In the final of the Argentinian league cup against Estudiantes he came off the bench on the hour mark and scored the equaliser at 1-1 60 seconds later with his first touch of the ball. The final went to penalties and the youngster kept his cool from the spot as he converted his penalty. But that did not help avert defeat for Vélez Sarsfield.
At the German double winners, Sarco will meet up with his fellow countryman Exequiel Palacios who won the 2020 World Cup with Argentina. The 1.79 metre tall left footer talked about "joining a top club in Europe. That's something I've dreamt of. Bayer 04 have been interested for a long time and I followed the club's great season last term very closely indeed. It's exciting for me to be part of this team in the future and a great challenge to add to the strength of the team with my ability."
Bayer 04 host Augsburg at the BayArena this Saturday for Matchday 31 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game against the 10th-placed Bavarians, including the ‘Finally Red’ fan campaign.
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The first of the Werkself’s remaining 04 fixtures of this season comes on Saturday at home to Augsburg (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST). Ahead of the Matchday 31 encounter, head coach Xabi Alonso reflected on previous weeks, spoke about goals for the remainder of the campaign and also Jonathan Tah.
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Augsburg have enjoyed an excellent run of form this year and come to the BayArena on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST) full of confidence as they take on the Werkself. Jess Thorup’s team boast one of the meanest defences in the Bundesliga and harbour real hope of securing European qualification this season. Here’s all you need to know about our next opponents.
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Bayer 04 Women won 3-1 away at Turbine Potsdam on Friday night to maintain their chances of finishing in the top three and qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Delice Boboy, Cornelia Kramer and Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir struck for the Werkself at the Google Pixel Bundesliga’s bottom club, whose relegation was confirmed with the result. Leverkusen’s 12th win of the campaign took them up to 40 points.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without defender Nordi Mukiele and the Argentinian striker Alejo Sarco for the time being. Both players suffered muscle injuries in yesterday's Werkself training session.
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