Head coach Roger Schmidt and his players can look forward to the best possible conditions and plenty of work in Austria. “We’ll work on all aspects of our game at the training camp and that includes the physical and tactical areas. And we know we’ve got the ideal conditions we need,” confirmed Schmidt, “I’m looking forward to the stay and working with our players.” Kevin Volland is also positive ahead of the hard work in Salzburger Land. “It’s particularly important for me as a new signing at the training camp to get to know the team better,” said the striker signed from Hoffenheim who has already scored five times in the pre-season.
The Werkself will have to make do without Lars Bender and Julian Brandt in Zell am See-Kaprun as the duo are at the Olympics in Rio with the Germany squad. Danny da Costa is also absent after undergoing an operation in Krefeld on Thursday to remove a metal pin inserted to provide support after he broke his shin in October 2014. Stefan Kießling, with ongoing hip problems, and Julian Baumgartlinger (groin) will start with individual training sessions in Zell am See. The youngsters Sam Schreck, Atakan Akkaynak and Kai Havertz are also on the tour. The Germany players at Euro 2016, Bernd Leno and Jonathan Tah, are set join the group in the next few days.
Two friendlies
In addition to the numerous training sessions, the Werkself have two friendlies arranged in Austria: The first is against South-West Regional League Teutonia Watzenborn-Steinberg on Saturday followed by a game on the penultimate day of the training camp against Fiorentina on Thursday 4 August. The matches at the Alois Latini Stadium in Zell am See kick off at 18.00 CET.
From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.
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There’s lots going on at the BayArena today. The home game against FSV Mainz 05 is all about the numerous Bayer 04 fan clubs, whose birth - the founding of the "1. Fanclub 1976 Leverkusen" - dates back 50 years. A number of fan club representatives will be involved in awards, a banner display and a half-time matchday chat, and the Werkself are set to play in a special white fan club jersey. During half-time, Leverkusen mayor Stefan Hebbel and javelin world champion Steffi Nerius will also talk about the Olympic bid involving Leverkusen. Black and Red fans are advised to get to the stadium in good time today. Matchday news.
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The Werkself host Premier League club Arsenal in the Round of 16 first leg in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on 10/11 March. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.
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The draw for the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 was made today, Friday 27 February: Bayer 04 face Premier League leaders Arsenal. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes sees the English team as a "top opponent" and is looking forward to meeting former Werkself players Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie again.
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After three consecutive victories, FSV Mainz 05 recently suffered setbacks against Borussia Dortmund (0-4) and Hamburger SV (1-1) in the battle to stay up. Nevertheless, the Mainz 05 performance curve has shown a clear upward trend in recent weeks. Their coach and a former Leverkusen player in particular have played a decisive role in this. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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