"Normal weeks present the opportunity to structure training better and to take your time for certain things,” Gerardo Seoane explained to the media representatives in relation to the current and following week of training (Click HERE for the key statements from the press conference).
Daley Sinkgraven has returned to the training ground and worked with the ball. The Dutchman suffered a groin injury two weeks ago. In spite of progress made, as Seoane explained, he will however "not be ready" for the top match against Borussia Dortmund (6 February).
Julian Baumgartlinger continues to work hard on making his comeback. The 34-year-old midfielder, sidelined by a cruciate injury, played his last match at the end of August last year. Baumgartlinger is making good progress but patience is required for his return as Seoane explained.
The Werkself have two training sessions on Thursday and Friday with Lukas Hradecky and Co. being able to switch off from football at the weekend – the international break means there are no Bundesliga fixtures at the weekend and Gerardo Seoane has given his players time off.
The situation is rather different at the moment for Werkself player Odilon Kossounou. The central defender is in action with the Ivory Coast on Wednesday evening in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations. The record winners of the tournament Egypt provide the opposition in Douala (kick-off: 17.00 CET). The Ivorians will face Morocco if they progress to the quarter-finals.
Kossounou's teammate Edmond Tapsoba is already one step ahead with Burkina Faso: The West Africans beat Gabon 2-1 in the Round of 16 and now play Tunisia on Saturday 29 January (kick-off: 20.00 CET). All matches in the Africa Cup of Nations are being shown live on the streaming service DAZN.
It's official: The 2021 'Sporting photo of the Year’ was taken in Leverkusen. At the 52nd presentation of award by the football magazine kicker and the Association of German Sports journalists (VDS), Mika Volkmann finished in top spot with his photo.
On the photo entitled 'Stars close-up', the Paralympics winner Johannes Floors is seen with a youth athlete. The snapshot was taken last September at the Parasport TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen Talent Days at the club's indoor athletics facility. Congratulations on the award.
The German Football League (DFL) plus the 36 clubs in the two Bundesliga divisions have set up an online platform for community and social engagement in German professional football. At bundesliga-wirkt.dfl.de, information is available together for the first time on projects and activities of the Bundesliga and second division clubs plus the DFL in the areas of exercise and health, education and opportunities, ecology and environmental protection, solidarity and cooperation as well as diversity and togetherness.
Bayer 04 send out birthday greetings to another birthday boy on this Wednesday: The former defender Manfred Vetter, at the Black and Reds from 1971 to 1975, his 71 years old. Many happy returns.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
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The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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