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.
Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
Show more
Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
Show more
In the final international break in the current 2025/26 campaign, Bayer 04 striker Patrik Schick with Czechia will be battling for a place at the World Cup. Meanwhile, national teams that have already qualified, include other Werkself players called up, are involved in friendlies in the build-up to the World Cup. Read on for an overview of the Leverkusen internationals and their match dates.
Show more
The Werkself kicked off the final international break of the current season on Monday morning with the first of three open training sessions this week. While eleven Bayer 04 players will be away on international duty in the coming days, the other players will be working together in Leverkusen. The next challenge in the Bundesliga awaits on Saturday, 4 April (kick-off: 15:30 CEST) with the home game against VfL Wolfsburg.
Show more
