Back
12.07.2018Bayer 04

Trio set to return to full training

Holidays are now over for Jonathan Tah, Julian Baumgartlinger and Aleksandar Dragovic too. A week after the official start of pre-season training at Bayer 04, the trio started preparing for the new campaign on Thursday morning and tomorrow they will join the first team squad on the training ground. Due to their international duties at the end of the season the three players were given an additional week's leave by coach Heiko Herrlich.
Leistungsdiagnostik_20180712_0068.jpg

"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.

 

Related News

Bauarbeiten für das Haus der Talente
Bayer 04 - 15.09.2026

Construction work on the Talent House continues: soil removed, basement excavated

Construction work continues on the ‘Haus der Talente’ on Kurtekottenweg in Leverkusen, where 36 young elite athletes will find a new home from next summer. The building team from Temmink Bau, led by Thomas Wellers, are hard at work. Over the past few days, excavators, wheeled loaders and rollers have removed 2,500 cubic metres of soil to excavate the basement.

Show more
Frauen-Kurzpässe vor #B04FCB
Women - 14.09.2026

Women: Matchday news #B04FCB

Special events for a special match: Bayer 04 are offering fans a varied programme of events at tonight’s home game in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga against German champions Bayern Munich (kick-off: 18:00 CEST). Alongside a number of interactive activities, events to mark the DFB Sustainability matchday are also planned around the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Read on in the matchday news ahead of the clash with FC Bayern.

Show more
Fritz-Walter-Medaille in Gold für Eichhorn und Onyeka
Bayer 04 - 14.09.2026

Fritz Walter Gold Medals for Eichhorn and Onyeka

Once again, two Fritz Walter Gold Medals are heading to Leverkusen: Bayer 04 new signing Kennet Eichhorn and Francis Onyeka, a product of the Werkself youth set-up, currently on loan at SV Elversberg, were honoured for their performances during the 2025/26 season. The DFB announced the awards on Monday, 14 September. The Fritz Walter Medal is the most prestigious individual award in German youth football.

Show more
Roberto Pätzold
Women - 13.09.2026

‘Every team is vulnerable’: Bayer 04 Women host double winners FC Bayern

Following two close encounters against VfL Wolfsburg and away to TSG Hoffenheim, the Bayer 04 Women face another top side on Monday night. The Werkself host German double winners Bayern Munich at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium at 18:00 CEST to round off matchday 4 in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. Head coach Roberto Pätzold is counting on another spirited performance from his team.

Show more