“There’s only one Rudi Vöööööllleeeeeer…”
When saying goodbye to Rudi Völler (62), this fan hit should not be missing. First it boomed out of the loudspeakers, then the supporters (all in the red “Thank you, Rudi” shirt) belted it out in the sold-out stadium in Leverkusen with 30,210 spectators.
In the 2-1 draw in Leverkusen against Freiburg, the football legend was given a loud farewell. After more than 40 years in professional football and 21 years as a boss at Bayer.
For this reason, a bold “Thank you, Rudi” is also printed on the official DFL match ball, as well as on Bayer shirts. The fans have come up with something special and painted the best Rudi sayings of his career (“Tell that to your toilet seat”) on posters.
Before the game, a Rudi sentence causes a stir – when it comes to whether world champion team boss Franz Beckenbauer will be there when he says goodbye.
Voller at Sky: “I was also in contact with Franz. Of course he would have liked to come too. Unfortunately he is not doing so well. Lothar (Matthäus, the editor), I and Andi Brehme are in contact with him. We promised him that we would visit him in the next few weeks.”
Franz Beckenbauer (76) has withdrawn from the public for some time because of his general health situation, which is appropriate for his age. It is known that the “Kaiser” had an eye operation in 2019.
When Rudi said goodbye to the fans and the Bundesliga with a microphone on the pitch, his eyes lit up and he seemed visibly moved. “Today is the day I want to say thank you to all of you.”
He watches the game in the stands, his wife Sabrina has her arm firmly hooked. Next to him are his five children. Hansi Flick sits in a row in front of him.
There will be a farewell party at the Bayer Casino on Saturday evening. With many guests of honor such as Otto Rehhagel, Waldemar Hartmann, Lothar Matthäus. His last business trip is to Mexico. Bayer flies there for a friendly game on Sunday, Völler follows on Monday.
Rudi on his future: “In Italy, Rome I will be more often. I always like to say that I’ve become a bit half Roman. It has to do with my family, my wife, my children.” Völler used to play for AS Roma, where he met his wife Sabrina in the Italian capital.
Which: Bayer coach Seoane gave goalkeeper Lunev his first Bundesliga game as a gift and also benched three other goalkeepers (Hradecky, Lomb, Grill) as a thank you for their hard work and loyalty during the season.
The 1:0! Schick (shakes off the Bald-Dortmunder Schlotterbeck) lays across to Alario — inside (54th)! It is possible that the Argentine (still has two years of contract) will change in the summer because he wants to play more.
Shortly afterwards, Schick hit the ball on the crossbar (59′). Freiburg’s Höler had already headed against the post in the early stages (20′).
The 1:1! Freiburg equalizes through Haberer, who moves to Union Berlin (88th). Shortly thereafter, Leverkusen’s Azmoun heads to the post (90 + 2).
The 2:1! Palacios scores from the center circle (90 +7). Goalkeeper Flekken had moved too far out of his goal.
Leverkusen qualified third for the Champions League, Freiburg is definitely in the Europa League.
After the game, Völler dances with the team in front of the curve — and then even climbs the fence with the Ultras. There he agrees to the battle cry “Uffta”. And afterwards he admits on the Sky microphone: “Now I couldn’t avoid a tear or two. A great sense of achievement that I didn’t hurt myself climbing the fence.”
