Bayer 04 fans, who want to get a first impression of the new squad, can drop by at the BayArena. The first session at 10.00 CET on Tuesday morning will see at least nine first team players on the training ground. The only truly new player will be Kevin Volland signed from Hoffenheim with great expectations on the part of Bayer 04. Levin Öztunali and Danny da Costa return after loan periods at Werder Bremen and Ingolstadt respectively looking to establish themselves in the Werkself squad and goalkeeper Niklas Lomb is another returnee.
Bernd Leno and Jonathan Tah will be the last two to join the Bayer 04 pre-season after earning a well deserved summer break following Germany’s exit from Euro 2016 in the semi-final defeat against France. They belong to a group of nine players who return late due to commitments at the Euros or the Copa America: Chicharito, Charles Aránguiz, Hakan Calhanoglu, Admir Mehmedi, Julian Baumgartlinger, Ramazan Özcan and Tin Jedvaj. Benjamin Henrichs and Lukas Boeder are away with the Germany Under 19 side competing at the European Championships on home soil.
Another major event is also on the horizon. Germany coach Horst Hrubesch is set to announce his squad for the Olympic Games in Rio next week. The football tournament in Brazil from 4 to 20 August with Germany in Group C alongside Mexico, South Korea and Fiji. Bayer 04 candidates for inclusion in the Germany squad are Julian Brandt, Levin Öztunali and possibly Lars Bender – the Werkself captain in one of three players over the age of 23. Left back Wendell misses out on a slot in the Brazil team due to ongoing rehab following his ankle ligament injury.
First friendly on Friday
Following the performance tests on Monday head coach Roger Schmidt will lead training sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10.00 and 16.00 each day. There will be a morning training session on Friday ahead of the first friendly against SC Verl (19.00 CET) as part of the short training camp in Marienfeld from 15 to 17 July.
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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