After a strenuous an intensive week of training, the players had a later start to the day. After breakfast it was start of preparations for the Lazio match with a video and team meeting. That was followed by packing bags, a final lunch at the team hotel Tauern Spa and off into the team bus headed for Grödig. The hotel could return to quieter normality. But have no fear, Bayer 04 will return in the summer of 2018 for the next pre-season.
Just before lunch, Bayer 04 head coach Heiko Herrlich took time out to review events in Zell am See with the media. Overall, the coach was very happy with the training camp. "It's been a hard week of training. We had two intensive sessions every day up to Friday. I felt all the players were ready to get fully involved without any complaints," said a positive Heiko Herrlich.
There was one last challenge before the Bayer 04 group could start the return journey back home. The Werkself played their sixth friendly of the pre-season in Grödig near Salzburg in the afternoon. And it was a game against team that finished fifth in Serie A last term, Lazio. With Bayer 04 sporting director Rudi Völler and sporting manager Jonas Boldt looking on, the Werkself felt the effects of the rigours of the past seven days and the high temperatures that led to a disappointing 3-1 defeat.
After a shower and an evening meal it was off in the team bus to the nearby Salzburg Airport for the charter flight to Cologne/Bonn airport. That was the final chapter of the visit to Austria in 2017. Charles Aránguiz returns on Monday for performance tests and Heiko Herrlich will lead the next training session on Wednesday.
Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
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Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
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The German Football League (DFL) has shortlisted Martin Terrier’s scorpion kick goal against 1. FC Köln for the 2025/26 Bundesliga Goal of the Season. Bayer 04 fans can vote for their favourite goal via the Bundesliga app from now until Monday 25 May (23:59 CEST).
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Bayer 04 will be preparing young talents for a potential sporting career in an even more systematic way in future. The club is breaking new ground to help develop their academic, social and personal skills as well. With the ‘Haus der Talente' or 'Talent House’, Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH is creating a new centre for the development of young athletes in a central location in Leverkusen. Once completed – expected to be in the summer of 2027 – the project will be run in partnership with TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen e.V.
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