Kevin, you produced a very impressive performance against Düsseldorf and capped it with two assists. How do you assess your current form and where can you see room for improvement in your game?
Volland: I wouldn't like to make that assessment myself. At the moment I feel really good on the pitch and that obviously depends particularly on my team-mates. At this early stage of the season we are already working really well together and are successful at the moment. That has an effect on my personal stats. But, of course, I try to keep on improving like the rest of the team.
For the first time since 2015 you've picked up six points from the first two Bundesliga games – Does that bring calm and confidence to the team given the mixed pre-season?
Volland: We did get some criticism during the pre-season. But there is a huge difference between playing games before the season and then being involved in competitive fixtures. There's a completely different sharpness in the game. It's always good to get off to a good start in a season. That's exactly what we've worked for. That's why we're actually very confident. But, of course, we can't afford to relax. Being calm in that sense it's something we definitely won't allow ourselves.
You've said the team is currently performing at 90%. What needs to be improved in your opinion?
Volland: Against Düsseldorf you could see we didn't play our game for the full 90 minutes. The fact there was some disruption at the back is also due to us not being efficient in pressing home our advantage in the second half. We definitely have to be more effective.
You played for TSG for four years, making 132 appearances in the Bundesliga and now you've been at Bayer 04 for three years. Is this still a special game for you?
Volland: It's probably more the case for Kerem and Nadiem as they were there last season. I've played against Hoffenheim several times. But, of course, it's always somewhat different from a game against the other Bundesliga clubs. I had four excellent years at Hoffenheim and I have good memories of that time.
Following the defeat in the first game of the season at Frankfurt, Hoffenheim beat Bremen 3-2 and come to Leverkusen in confident mood. What sort of game are you expecting at the BayArena?
Volland: They are obviously good and it will be a really tough game. But we want to win it and take the next step forward in our development.
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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To mark Exequiel Palacios’s departure, we’ve put together a compilation of the midfielder’s finest and most important goals from his six-and-a-half years at the club.
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