Xhaka-Mania in Leverkusen: “Granite is a grenade”

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Cold, wet and gray. This is Leverkusen, this early Friday morning. While the chimneys on the banks of the Rhine continuously emit steam, a line of light on the horizon announces the break of day. High above the chemical park, the gigantic Bayer Cross shines even brighter – with a diameter of 70 meters, the largest neon sign in the world dominates the dark scene.

Bayer is Leverkusen. A city that only emerged before the Second World War thanks to the famous pharmacist and chemical entrepreneur Carl Leverkus and that still offers its more than 160,000 inhabitants a home and work to this day. The economic crisis in Germany also has consequences for global business. Thousands of jobs will disappear here in the coming months. Like an aspirin, Bayer dissolves into individual pieces.

Football is very important in Leverkusen

If you’re lucky, you’ll end up working in one of the outsourced divisions. One of them is Rene Kitgen, who has been working shifts at the chemical park for 42 years. And for as long as he can remember, he has been a fan of Bayer04 – the Werkself of the global group with a rich history. “Football is very important here in Leverkusen,” says Kitgen, recalling the legendary years before and after the millennium, when Leverkusen finished second four times.

The year 2002 will never be forgotten when Bayer04 not only blew the championship, but also lost the DFB Cup final against Schalke and lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League final. “That was unbelievable, we wasted three chances – that hurt a lot,” says Kitgen.

To date, no painkiller helps against the term Vicecusen. “That’s still in people’s minds. You don’t forget something like that so quickly,” says the 58-year-old a day before the top meeting against Bayern Munich – with the coveted season ticket in hand. The more than 180,000 ticket requests and prices of around 3,000 euros on the black market alone demonstrate this. “It will be a huge battle, but we are leaders and are currently having the best season in a long time. Hopefully we don’t screw it up again.”

More than satisfied with Granit Xhaka

One of the reasons why Bayer Leverkusen could become German champions for the first time is Granit Xhaka. «Granit is a real grenade, a top footballer. “He has a very good influence on the team,” says Kitgen, holding the cardboard figure the Blick reporter gave him on the way to work. “I’m very happy with him.”

The club itself is more than happy with Granit Xhaka. In the fanwork bar in the center of the city we walk into open doors with our Swiss cardboard comrade. “Granit is a great guy. “He’s always very nice and friendly,” enthuses Lucy Thum, one of the club’s fan representatives. She works with Dirk Dreher, who has seen many legends play as manager of the traditional team and will soon also have Xhaka in his midst. “Xhaka is an excellent footballer with an uncanny presence on the pitch. Always playable and someone who clarifies delicate situations.”

Not only the feeling, but also the numbers speak for Xhaka at Bayer Leverkusen. With a success rate of 92.3 percent, the 31-year-old from Basel has the highest score in the Bundesliga. With 2,365 ball contacts and a mileage of 237.6 km in 20 league matches, he is also the hardest working. The strong fact sheet also leaves a big impression on followers. “Xhaka is just great. He brings a stability and mentality that we never had before,” said a group of fans on their way to the fair in front of the stadium.

The royal transfer for Leverkusen

“Xhaka makes all the players around him better with his incredible feeling and instincts,” says Richard Jürgen, a Werkverein supporter for 42 years. The meeting with the cardboard figure in front of the Bayarena caused great enthusiasm among the Offenbach fans despite the cloudy weather. “Xhaka is one of the best transfers ever made.”

The Bundesliga experts go one step further. “Xhaka is the transfer king for Leverkusen,” says Bild reporter Phillip Ahrens. Sportbild colleague Axel Hesse goes one step further. “Xhaka is the best transfer in the entire Bundesliga. His influence on the team is greater than that of Harry Kane at Bayern.”

Xhaka’s autograph cards and jerseys are also in demand: he is number 2 on the bestseller list behind the German magician Florian Wirtz. “Xhaka is an absolute stroke of luck for us,” says Christian Hausmann, manager of Bayer04 legends, winner of the 1988 UEFA Cup – the club’s only title – and of the DFB Cup victory in 1993. More than 30 years later both titles are back within reach for Leverkusen. And maybe also the German championship. A unique opportunity to finally leave the creepy history behind you.

Source : Blick