It’s slowly getting crowded again under the Bayer Kreuz. The national players arrive. Cup goalkeeper Matej Kovar ensures spectacular odds in advance.
Returned with a big chest: Matej Kovar. IMAGO/Revierfoto
After Piero Hincapie returned from his trip to the USA with Ecuador’s national team on Wednesday, Lukas Hradecky, Matej Kovar, Nathan Tella, Jeremie Frimpong, Amine Adli, Alejandro Grimaldo, Adam Hlozek, Gustavo Puerta and Noah Mbamba also arrived on the training pitch on Thursday a. However, other selection players such as DFB players Florian Wirtz, Jonathan Tah and Robert Andrich were missing from this unit. Before the game against Hoffenheim on Saturday, coach Xabi Alonso will, as usual, carefully consider who is capable of starting right from the start.
One thing is clear: keeper Kovar, who is primarily working as a cup goalkeeper at Bayer this season, returned to Germany with a big chest. In the 2-1 win against Armenia, he was in the Czech starting line-up, just like Hlozek and Patrik Schick – and celebrated his international debut. Kovar, who came from Manchester United in the summer, did well and is already the seventh (!) Bayer professional to make his debut in the national jersey this season.
Kovar is the seventh international debutant in the Bayer squad
Before Kovar, who has been in the Leverkusen goal eleven times so far, Adli (Morocco), Frimpong (Netherlands), Grimaldo (Spain), Victor Boniface, Tella (Nigeria) and Andrich (Germany) had already made their debut. Youngster Puerta was also close to being called up to Colombia’s squad during this international phase, but did not play.
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Nevertheless: The national player factory continues to run, which on the one hand underlines the talent of the Werkself squad. And on the other hand, it is a result of the strong performances that Leverkusen could still crown with three titles. Nationally, Bayer is on course for a championship, is the big favorite in the DFB Cup – and is at least part of the extended circle of title contenders in the Europa League.
Bayer’s Hofmann sharpens the senses
The Werkself now have to bring this fabulous season to a good end. The venture begins against Hoffenheim, it is the starting signal for the crucial weeks. Offensive player Jonas Hofmann sharpens his senses: “We have to stay fully focused. We can lose a lot, but we can also win everything.” Personally, he is more of a fan of focusing primarily on the positive outcome. So he explains: “We go into the games with broad chests, self-confidence, passion and energy.”
He sees the fact that the Werkself have recently produced less cheer football and still managed to win after win as “a great strength. Good players are also measured by what you get from them when they are not in such a good mood.” The entire team, he emphasizes, is doing excellently. But Hofmann also says: “Nevertheless, we are humble and now we have to get off to a good start in the competitions. Then hopefully we will achieve something really big.” And certainly anyone who impresses at the club has the best chance of representing their country. Hofmann will have that in mind right now. In contrast to Kovar and Co., he was not allowed to do international duty this time.
2024-03-28 18:50:34
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