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.
The men's clothing retailer LERROS will remain the official fashion and premium partner of Bayer 04 for the current season. As in the past, LERROS will provide the club's men's team, coaching staff and management with high-quality clothing for international trips.
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“Diaby! Diaby! Diaby!” was the cry around the BayArena as the Werkself danced in front of the north stand following their 4-0 win over Union Berlin. Captain Edmond Tapsoba gave his new (and old) teammate a friendly shove forward to take in the acclaim from the fans. The returning Frenchman was typically reserved in thanking the supporters but was clearly emotional about what was happening.
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Bayer 04 produced a dominant and impressive 4-0 win over Union Berlin as they picked up three points in their first home game of the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. Exequiel Fernández opened the scoring after only 41 seconds, with Facundo Medina doubling the lead before the half-hour mark. Patrik Schick and Ibrahim Maza continued the procession in the second period, in which Moussa Diaby came on for his first Leverkusen appearance for over three years.
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The Bundesliga is back at the BayArena this Saturday as Bayer 04 play their first home game of the 2026/27 campaign against Union Berlin (15:30 CEST). Moussa Diaby could make his second debut for the Werkself following his return to Leverkusen – and it would be an ideal fixture for the Frenchman. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the encounter in our matchday news.
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