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Martínez Backs Fallen Captain Andrich: "I'm Happy With Him"
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- Martínez Backs Fallen Captain Andrich: "I'm Happy With Him"
Robert Andrich 's turbulent start to the new Bayer Leverkusen era has taken another turn, and this time, there is finally a positive sign for the former captain.
Just a few weeks ago, Andrich appeared to be heading towards the exit. New head coach Carles Martínez stripped him of the captaincy, handed the armband to Edmond Tapsoba , and made it clear that the 31-year-old would initially have to accept a secondary role in midfield. Leverkusen were also prepared to let him leave, with interest emerging from elsewhere in the Bundesliga.
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The message could hardly have been clearer: Andrich was no longer central to Martínez's plans.
Yet he is still at the BayArena. Andrich remained professional throughout the uncertainty, continued to work hard in training, and now, the tone around him has changed.
Andrich came off the bench in Saturday's 4-0 victory over Union Berlin , making his 200th competitive appearance for the club. After the match, Martínez went out of his way to praise the midfielder.
He played 20 minutes today because he deserved it and had trained well. We have a lot of competition for places. I'm happy with him. I'm sure he'll be in the starting eleven another day.
- Leverkusen Head Coach, Carles Martínez
Martínez added that Andrich wants the same thing as he does: the best for Leverkusen.
It represents a significant shift in tone.
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When Martínez announced the captaincy change in August, he was equally direct. Andrich had led Leverkusen during the previous campaign, but the new coach told him that he would initially have only a supporting role in midfield. Tapsoba was chosen as the new captain, with Patrik Schick named as his deputy.
For Andrich, it was a difficult adjustment. He had gone from captain and an important figure in the team to a player being told that his opportunities could be limited. Die Werkself were even open to a transfer, with Eintracht Frankfurt among the clubs linked with him, while RB Leipzig were subsequently reported to have shown interest as well.
RB Leipzig Eye Robert Andrich as Bayer Leverkusen Midfielder Loses His Place
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But Andrich never appeared to embrace the idea of simply walking away.
His response was to fight.
That attitude has now been rewarded with something he desperately needed: an opening.
The departure of Exequiel Palacios to Ipswich Town has changed the midfield picture. While Martínez initially insisted that Palacios' exit would not automatically change Andrich's situation, the veteran midfielder has now been included in Leverkusen's Europa League squad and has earned another opportunity to prove his value.
The reaction from the BayArena on Saturday was another important piece of the story.
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When Andrich entered the pitch, the home supporters gave him a huge reception. For a player whose position at the club had suddenly become so uncertain, the response underlined that his standing among the supporters has not disappeared.
Andrich has been part of one of the most successful periods in Leverkusen's modern history. He played a major role in the 2023/24 double-winning campaign and has remained a respected figure within the club. His relationship with the supporters appears to be intact, even if his position within Martínez's hierarchy has changed.
That is the key distinction.
Andrich is not the captain anymore. Tapsoba has that responsibility, and Martínez has not suggested otherwise. But the door that appeared to be closing on Andrich as a player is beginning to open again.
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For the fallen captain, the challenge is now simple: turn Martínez's words into performances.
