…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.
This afternoon, Saturday 24 January (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayer 04 host SV Werder Bremen, who are winless in their last seven league games. Nevertheless, in their last outing, a 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, where they conceded a late equaliser, the Green and Whites did show their team spirit. The Werkself, led by birthday boy Patrik Schick, will be looking to counter this and secure their first three points of the new year on this ‘!Never Again’ remembrance matchday to commemorate the victims of National Socialism. Read on for the latest information in today's matchday news.
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Happy birthday, Patrik Schick! On his special day, it's not just the Czech striker who can look forward to lots of presents and hopefully many more goals – Bayer 04 fans can also get their hands on a free number 14 print when they buy a Werkself jersey today, January 24! In addition, a match-worn jersey belonging to the now 30-year-old will be raffled off among all purchasers next week.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win at 1. FC Union Berlin on the 15th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Despite a severely depleted squad and being a player down, the Bayer 04 Women made a winning start to their 2026 campaign. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 2-1 at newly promoted FC Union Berlin on Friday night thanks to a last-minute goal. Vanessa Fudalla scored from a direct free-kick (78') and Kristin Kögel (90+2’) in stoppage time for the Werkself, who were reduced to ten players on 68 minutes, on an atmospheric stage at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. As a result, the Black and Reds are now fifth in the table for at least one night at the start of matchday 15.
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The Werkself are looking for the first win of the new calendar year: Ahead of the sold-out Bundesliga home match against SV Werder Bremen on Saturday, 24 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET), head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about taking chances, possible winter transfers and a “Lion" returning to the Leverkusen matchday squad.
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