In addition to the internal and orthopaedic tests, that were carried out in part on Monday, 17 players (split into groups of three) and excluding the international players, completed a range of tests on strength, coordination, movement, balance, acceleration and stamina. "With the help of the data, we produce an individual profile for each player to see exactly where the particular strengths, weaknesses or performance limiting factors are," explained Malte Krüger, the head sports scientist at Bayer 04. The data acquired primarily serves to optimise the training programme over the course of the pre-season. "That means the players can work in a targeted and individual way with our fitness coaches Schahriar Bigdeli, Terry Peters and Daniel Jouvin to endeavour to make up deficits or to reduce the risk of injury – without the daily training on the pitch having to suffer," added Krüger.
Of course, the aim is to be as well prepared as possible for the three competitions facing the Werkself of the Bundesliga, the Champions League and the DFB Cup. "We want to keep all players fit and healthy through the season and make sure they are fully fit when the busy weeks start," said Krüger.
Kai Havertz, Lukas Hradecky, Aleksandar Dragovic, Tin Jedvaj and Paulinho, who were given extra leave due to their international appearances at the beginning of June, will complete the performance tests on Sunday.
A special award for special social commitment. At this year's ceremony for the Sepp Herberger Awards in Wolfsburg on Monday night, the DFB Sepp Herberger Foundation recognised Bayer 04 in the social rehabilitation category. The Bundesliga club received the prize, together with €12,000, for its great service to inmates, particularly in the Wuppertal-Ronsdorf prison.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-2 loss at VfL Wolfsburg on the 20th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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The Werkself suffered another setback in the tight race for third place in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga. Roberto Pätzold's side lost 2-1 at VfL Wolfsburg in a hard-fought contest on Sunday evening, with Vanessa Fudalla's goal in stoppage time proving too little too late. Leverkusen have dropped to sixth in the table with 31 points, four off third place.
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The Bundesliga home game against VfL Wolfsburg in the first half of the season was one of those classic ‘days to forget’ for Bayer 04 Women. It started with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll being shown a red card in the first minute of the game, and following a further sending-off, coach Roberto Pätzold's 9-women side ended up losing 5-1 to last season's runners-up. At 18.30 CET on Sunday, they'll have the chance to exact revenge at the AOK Stadium - and pick up valuable points in the race for third place.
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After full time in the 1-1 draw against FC Bayern Munich, the Bayer 04 fans first had to catch their breath. Firstly because of their usual loud support, and secondly because of the great drama they'd witnessed on the pitch: three disallowed goals, two red cards and a Werkself side who "again produced a very good performance against strong opponents", as head coach Kasper Hjulmand described. The Dane was particularly enthused by the performance of young Montrell Culbreath, while Patrik Schick got to enjoy his 200th appearance under the Cross. The Werkself Review unpacks the action.
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