"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.
Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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One ticket, two matches – and a varied programme of events, including appearances by players from the professional teams: Bayer 04 has come up with something very special for the 2026 season launch on Saturday, 8 August. From morning right through to the evening, Werkself fans can use just one ticket to not only enjoy top-class football from the Bayer 04 teams live, but also to experience unforgettable moments with the whole family through a variety of hands-on activities around the BayArena and the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The day will also end on a real high note: after both matches, Bayer 04 supporters will have the opportunity to interact directly with the players during joint activities and get to know them from a different angle.
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Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
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