In cold and wet weather on and around the training ground at the BayArena, the Werkself squad returned after the winter break with the exception of long-term injuries Joel Pohjanpalo (rehab training after ankle injury) and Panos Retsos (rehab after muscle tendon injury to thigh) plus Leon Bailey and Charles Aránguiz (both for private reasons). At the same time, Marco Wolf, a 17-year-old forward with the club's U19 team trained with the pros for the first time.
An intense warm-up session was followed by a range of passing and shooting drills as well as a practice match at the end of the first session under the new Werkself coach Peter Bosz that lasted for just under one and three-quarter hours.
The Werkself carry on training on Saturday and Sunday (both at 10.30 CET) as well as on Monday (14.30 CET) in open sessions before the first friendly of the New Year on Tuesday (14.00 CET). The match against the Dutch first division club Twente Enschede will be played behind closed doors.
After a run of seven games unbeaten in all competitions, the Werkself suffered a 1-0 defeat at FC Union Berlin despite their best efforts. Captain Robert Andrich, who took responsibility for the goal, said after the match: "Now we have to focus on not losing our heads even in difficult situations. That has always made us strong in the past." The Werkself review.
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Bayer 04 were beaten 1-0 away at Union Berlin on Matchday 23 in the Bundesliga. Kasper Hjulmand’s side struggled to create clear chances, while the hosts struck the only goal of the game through Rani Khedira in the 28th minute.
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Sandwiched between their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off tie against Olympiacos, Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action on Saturday with a trip to Union Berlin (kick-off: 15:30 CET). It’s a fixture of contrasting styles, with Leverkusen preferring to control the play while Union look to remain compact and counter. The Berliners are therefore suited to facing top teams, but they have only ever managed to win one of 16 meetings with the Werkself, who are looking for a fifth clean sheet of 2026 but will need to beware the home side’s threat from set pieces. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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After six wins in seven games, the Werkself will be looking to continue their winning run in the capital at FC Union Berlin. Coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke ahead of the match on Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET) about defenders, the short preparation time and the condition of the pitch at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
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