Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Reporter: Rudi Völler, this is the second consecutive time you and Bayer 04 Leverkusen stayed at the Cascade Resort in Lagos. What made you come back?
Rudi: Yes, last year specially we had optimal conditions. We have excellent training pitches, we can change the pitches every day and we have great weather. The hotel is great. These are the basic features of the hotel, exactly what you need for a good winter preparation.
Reporter: Just a short word about the first round of the season, which you finished in second. What are your goals for the new year?
Rudi: We want, regardless of our position, to confirm the good first round we did. That means to defend everything that we've reached so far, which is difficult enough because there are clubs who want to overtake us. We have to maintain our performance levels, which we will if we are spared of injuries and if we go until our limits. If we succeed as we did in the preliminary round, then we have pretty good chances.
Reporter: Looking at the training sessions here at Cascade, there have been some Portuguese fans and journalists watching the drills. In February, your team will play against Benfica; what are your expectations for the match?
Rudi: I've said it a few weeks ago, Benfica is indeed the current leader of the Portuguese championiship ranking. They are in good shape, but we don't need to be afraid, we don't need to hide, Benfica is a serious opponent on an equal footing, let’s say it is a 50-50 game. Benfica is much better than all the other three good teams we've played against. So in the next two games, we have to do everything to reach the next round and if we play like we played, which is our goal, it's not going to be that difficult.
Reporter: Bayer 04 Leverkusen has stayed at the Cascade Resort twice now. Are you looking forward to a happy third stay next year?
Rudi: Yes, that will be decided in due time, we do not need to decide today. This year, at the end of the summer, we will meet with all the coaches in Leverkusen and we will decide it.