Back
18.03.2020Bayer 04

Rolfes: What motivates the players most

The news around the issue of coronavirus changes almost every hour. Simon Rolfes, Bayer 04 sporting director, provides an insight into the current situation at the Werkself with head coach Peter Bosz and his team today (Wednesday) setting out individual training regimes for use at home on this Wednesday morning. Simon Rolfes on…
crop_20200201_schueler_rolfes_091.jpg

…the situation at the Werkself: The situation isn’t easy for anybody involved. This morning we gave the players the latest information and advice of how to act in the next few weeks.

…the arrangements made: Everybody's health comes first. That's why there have been political measures relating to how we behave. We all have to adhere to that. And our medical director Dr Dittmar made that clear to the squad again today.

…the concerns of the first team players: The biggest worry is about health and not just of the players themselves but also the welfare of their families. That's what motivates the players most at the moment.

…the individual training regimes: Today, we gave all the players home training plans. Our coaching staff have worked these out in the past two weeks to be ready for this particular scenario. We are confident we will be well prepared in the event the Bundesliga and the other competitions get going again at some point.

…the loss of income from matchdays: At the moment, it's impossible to predict the scale of losses for the clubs. Of course, we have to react if the financial state of Bundesliga clubs are under threat and take appropriate measures at the earliest possible moment. But it's still too early for that at the moment.

…a possible abandonment of the Bundesliga season: I find it very difficult to imagine that scenario at the moment. If the health situation stabilises and the external circumstances allow it then it is in everybody's interest to complete the competitions in as proper a manner as possible. The postponement of the European Championship gives us more room for manoeuvre.

Related News

Gegner-Check
eSports - 22.01.2026

#B04eSports: The first opponents in the fourth showdown

The fourth showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 starts for the Leverkusen eSports team today, Thursday 22 January (live on the B04eSports Twitch channel and on the Bayer 04 app from 19:00 CET). In the online preliminary round, the Black and Reds will once again compete with six previously drawn opponents for a place in the Top 16 and the associated entry into the offline knockout round in Berlin on 2 February at the fourth showdown. The lowdown on our next three opponents in the online preliminary round.

Show more
crop_B04_SoundOfDreams_ManCityBayer04_christianhedel-1700609.jpg
Champions League - 21.01.2026

Live blog: The Werkself away to Olympiacos ✈️🇬🇷

The fourth European away trip of the season in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 takes the Werkself to the Greek capital. Head coach Kasper Hjulmand's team are away to Greek double winners Olympiacos on matchday seven in the UCL league phase. The match at the Karaiskakis Stadium is on Tuesday, 20 January (kick-off: 21:00 CET). We'll be taking you on a trip to Athens and reporting on the Werkself close-up...

Show more
Carlotta Wamser und OB Stefan Hebbel
Women - 21.01.2026

Sports Awards: Carlotta Wamser immortalised in Leverkusen's Golden Book

A great honour for Bayer 04 Women's German international: as part of the 2025 Sports Awards, Carlotta Wamser entered her name into the City of Leverkusen's Golden Book. On Tuesday, she looked back on a special year in a talk in the Morsbroich Castle hall of mirrors.

Show more
Zweikampf
Champions League - 20.01.2026

Battling Werkself lose 2-0 in Athens

It was a disappointing night in Athens: The Werkself lost 2-0 away to Olympiacos on Matchday 7 in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. In a match that was intense and fiery from the outset, the high-pressing home side made the better start and took the lead through Costinha on two minutes. Although the Werkself had a number of chances to equalise, the clinical Greek side increased the lead to 2-0 shortly before half-time (45+1’). In the second half, Leverkusen once again gave their all and showed total commitment but, despite their best efforts, the Black and Reds were unable to break down the Olympiacos defence on the night.

Show more