…the first full training session after the two-week 'summer break': The numbers at training were not that big as, in addition to Kai Havertz, Kevin Volland and Leon Bailey (in quarantine in Jamaica, ed.), the international players were also missing.
…the considerably shortened build-up to the first competitive match in the DFB Cup against Eintracht Norderstedt on 13 September: It's the fourth or fifth build-up in 2020– and that feels strange. You normally have six weeks to prepare for a new season. Now there's another very short build-up but we've already got experienced of that. The advantage is that I'm not a new coach. I've been working here for one and a half years and I know most of the players. I know what I can expect of my team. They haven't lost everything in the two-week break. The basic fitness is there.
…the current position with the squad: Our squad isn't complete yet. For example, I'm not expecting Kevin Volland or Kai Havertz to train with us again. However, it's normal that there are changes during a transfer window. We coaches can deal with that. I've expressed my wishes to the management. We'll have to wait and see what happens.
…the challenge of this year's build-up: It's always great for coaches if the squad is complete at the start of training. But that's almost never the case these days. A lot has been put back due to coronavirus. That makes things complicated. My responsibility as a coach is to deal with it.
…the recent vacancy as the Dutch coach: It's an honour for every Dutchman to be the national coach of his home country. That's the biggest achievement for a coach. But momentum also counts in football. And you aren’t always in control of that. It only makes sense to think about it if you're asked. And that hasn't happened up to now. Also we've only got two weeks before the start of the Bundesliga. I need all my time here for Bayer 04.
At the end of the winter training camp in Portugal, the Bayer 04 Women convincingly mastered their friendly ahead of the start of the second half of the season. In the match against Swiss league leaders Servette FCCF, coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 3-0 at the Monte Gordo Sports Complex. Carlotta Wamser (4’), Vanessa Fudalla (18’) and Loreen Bender (53’) scored for Bayer 04, who have been preparing for the Rückrunde in the Algarve since last Saturday.
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The German Football League (DFL) has rescheduled the postponed fixture at Hamburger SV on Bundesliga matchday 17. The match, due to be played on Tuesday, has now been rescheduled for Wednesday, 4 March (kick-off: 20:30 CET).
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In the first episode of the new interview series "A New Chapter", Werkself defender Jarell Quansah reflects on his first few months under the Cross and speaks about his journey from England to Leverkusen. Having come through the ranks at Liverpool, a new chapter began for Quansah in the summer at Bayer 04 — with new objectives, fresh challenges and much ambition. In the video, the centre-back speaks about his development as a player and person, about the courage to leave your own comfort zone, and about what it means for him to be part of an international team in a different country. Honest, reflective and full of motivation — just like the start of his Werkself career.
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Full focus on Hoffenheim: after the late postponement of the away match at Hamburger SV, the Werkself are looking forward. To get themselves in top shape for the key clash at top-six rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday 17 January (kick-off 15:30 CET), a number of players showed full commitment even on a day off - including two AFCON returnees...
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After Rio de Janeiro, it's off to Thuringia: This summer, Bayer 04 Leverkusen will prepare for the 2026/27 football season in Germany. While Brazil was the destination last year, the Werkself will now set up their training camp in Blankenhain, just outside Erfurt, from 1 to 7 August 2026.
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