"The holidays were long enough to recover mentally and physically. I'm looking forward to getting started again," said Baumgartlinger ahead of numerous physical examinations (e.g. blood, eyes) plus balance and mobility tests. Tah and Dragovic, who returns to the Werkself after the end of his loan spell at Leicester City, followed the instructions of the medics, physios, coaches and sport scientists at the Werkstatt. Above all, at the concluding spiroergometry test, performance measurements on the treadmill, the Werkself trio gave their all, which is why Baumgartlinger talked about an "intensive start." After four hours of tests the trio were able to shower. "Nobody really likes these checks and performance tests but they are obviously important. And now we've done it," was Tah's assessment of proceedings.
The three returnees will train with the rest of the squad for the first this summer on Friday (16.00 CET, live on bayer04.de) before Herrlich's players embark on three training sessions on Saturday (10.30 and 16.00 CET) and Sunday (10.30 CET). "The break was longer than normal for us due to the World Cup – now I can hardly wait to play football again, " said Tah.
The first pre-season friendly for the Black and Reds is next Wednesday (18.00 CET) against SV Roßbach/Verscheid.
Bayer 04 face Hamburger SV for the first time since February 2018 in their rearranged Bundesliga Matchday 17 clash. After long years in the second division, the Red Shorts have gradually reestablished themselves in the top flight this season, thanks in particular to their strong home record and third-best tackle success rate in the league. There'll be a fierce battle in the air too, as three of the highest-scoring centre-backs in the Bundesliga could be on the pitch at the Volksparkstadion - two of them for Leverkusen. The Matchday News.
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Video games manufacturer Electronic Arts (EA), together with the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL), has announced the six nominees for the February 2026 Bundesliga Player of the Month award. Not one, but two Werkself players are on the list in Edmond Tapsoba and Alejandro Grimaldo. Supporters of the Black-and-Reds have from now until midnight on Sunday 8 March to vote!
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After the original fixture on 13 January was postponed due to weather-related structural risks to the Volksparkstadion's roof, Hamburger SV now host Bayer 04 Leverkusen this evening, Wednesday 4 March (kick-off 20:30 CET), in the rearranged Matchday 17 meeting. It's a second home game in three days for HSV - an update on the opponents.
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The German Football League (DFL) has announced the three candidates for Bundesliga ‘Rookie of the Month’ for February. Among the candidates is Werkself player Jarell Quansah. Fans of Bayer 04 can vote for their favourite on the Bundesliga app from now until Thursday, 5 March (23:59 CET).
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