"We have high quality and intensity in training and we always try to go to the limit," said Kevin Volland: "But we also need a break to be able to give 100% the next day." In practice that meant on Friday: time off in the morning, passing drills, shooting and practising various moves in the afternoon.
The pitch in Zell am See did not remain empty in the first half of the day. A team of Leverkusen fans played the Bayer 04 staff in the now traditional fixture. Clear winners were the team behind the Werkself who ran up an impressive goal fest winning 19-04. The victorious team were led by sporting director Simon Rolfes and team manager Hans-Peter Lehnhoff.
For around 70 Bayer 04 supporters, the day continued at lunchtime at the team hotel Tauern Spa in Kaprun. Fernando Carro, the Bayer 04 CEO, invited the fans who had travelled to Salzburger Land for coffee and cakes on the sun terrace and he was very happy to answer numerous questions from the young and older black and red fans. Birthday boy Andreas was particularly happy when Carro presented him with a small present at the end of the round of questions. Rudi Völler also took the chance to greet the fans and thank them for their support on the ground.
A very special guest brought a broad smile to the face of Völler before the training session. Jurica Vranjes, former Croatia international and three years at Bayer 04, called into the team hotel and chatted with Völler about his time as caretaker coach in 2000. Leverkusen remained unbeaten in all five games where Völler played Vranjes in his team. Vranjes was also part of the legendary 2002 team and he played in the Champions League semi-final games against Manchester United.
At the time of those games, Panos Retsos was only three years old and Instagram had yet to be invented. In 2019 it looks completely different as can be seen in the story on @bayer04fussball. The now 20-year-old Greek takes all Werkself followers through the day and shows them a spectacular Brazilian table tennis duel between Paulinho and Wendell, a darts competition in the team room and youngsters playing FIFA. At #B04inAustria there is a host of interesting content worth watching about the Bayer 04 training camp on all social media platforms.
There is double match action on Saturday at the Alois Latini Stadium in Zell am See. The Bosz team play Premier League Watford at 15.00 CET and the second friendly against Spanish top-flight side SD Eibar kicks off at 18.30 CET. Watford, in England's top division for four years, narrowly lost 2-1 on Thursday against the Champions League semi-finalists Ajax. "They are very physical and mostly play 4-4-2," said Bosz, who watched the game with his coaching staff: "They play a completely different way from us!"
The match should certainly be worth watching. It is live on bayer04.de and on TV on Sport1 from 15.00 CET and the duel with Eibar is exclusively live on Bayer 04 TV from 18.30 CET. That match also promises to be entertaining. Bosz: "Spanish teams always want to play football tand it will be a completely different game."
All daily reports:
#B04inAustria – Day 1: Two birthdays and a 'bobble ban'
#B04inAustria – Day 2: Visit from DFB Cup winning captain
#B04inAustria - Day 3: Lars Bender confirmed as captain
#B04inAustria - Day 4: New 'master of all trades'?
Click here for gallery – The best images from day five
New signing Miguel Gutiérrez has made a good start at Leverkusen and has promptly earned a nomination for Player of the Month in his first few weeks in the Bundesliga. He has scored one goal and provided three assists in four league games. The Spanish left-back has also brought some impressive stats with him to Bayer 04. Issue #56 of the Werkself magazine has taken a look at these figures. ‘Facts & Fun’ with Miguel Gutiérrez.
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With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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