The players and staff left the BayArena on time at nine in the morning. Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and striker Lucas Alario, who was recently injured, rejoined the team. Youngsters Joshua Eze, Christian Schwieren, Sadik Fofana, Noah Pesch, Ayman Aourir, goalkeeper Maximilian Neutgens and Zidan Sertdemir were also on board on the way to Austria. Julian Baumgartlinger, who was in action at the European Championships like Hradecky, is expected at the training camp at the beginning of next week.
The flight is due to land in Salzburg at 11.40 CEST and, after arrival at the hotel and a communal meal, the first training session at the Alois Latini Stadium in Zell am See is at 16.00 CEST. Sporting director Simon Rolfes' assessment of Salzburger Land, "outstanding conditions. We really feel at home there. Particularly as the training camp had to be cancelled last year we are looking forward to Zell am See and Kaprun even more. Everybody knows each other, the organisation on site has always been wonderful in the many years we've been there. The hotel, training ground and everything else will be perfect again."
After intensive workouts in numerous sessions over the week, the Werkself finish this year's training camp with the first pre-season friendly. Bayer 04 play SC Freiburg on the day of departure (23 July). The two Bundesliga teams meet at the Wattens Gernot Langes Stadium at 14.00 CEST. After the game, the team and support staff will fly back to Germany from Innsbruck.
Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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The champions of Slovenia NK Celje are in a European competition for the fourth time in their history. This Wednesday, 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the side lead by head coach Vitor Campelos visit the BayArena for matchday 1 in the group stage in the UEFA Europa League. Celje’s last match at the weekend did not go to plan. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Construction work continues on the ‘Haus der Talente’ on Kurtekottenweg in Leverkusen, where 36 young elite athletes will find a new home from next summer. The building team from Temmink Bau, led by Thomas Wellers, are hard at work. Over the past few days, excavators, wheeled loaders and rollers have removed 2,500 cubic metres of soil to excavate the basement.
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