The conditions for the start of the New Year could hardly have been better: Over 100 Werkself fans took advantage of the good weather to watch the training session led by Xabi Alonso. Before the Bayer 04 head coach started with a warm-up routine, the Werkself players welcomed teammate Exequiel Palacios with loud applause – and, of course, the obligatory guard of honour from all the players, coaches and members of staff. The 24-year-old was the only player in the Bundesliga to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with Argentina just before Christmas. The midfielder is now back in Leverkusen.
20 outfield players and three goalkeepers took part in the first, 75-minute session of the New Year on the training ground at the BayArena. Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Patrik Schick and Joshua Eze worked on their own, and Daley Sinkgraven missed out due to illness. The warm-up routine was followed by practice matches in restricted space and passing drills.
"I think we’ll be able to feel the effects of the first session in our legs tomorrow," said skipper Lukas Hradecky with a smile following the training session. The Finn added: "We’ve all come back in a good mood and we're ready to work hard. We want to improve on the last six months. We are going to give 100 per cent in the coming weeks."
While the Werkself keeper was fielding questions, Bayer 04 fans had gathered at the exit of the training ground for selfies plus autographs with Mitchel Bakker and Co. World Cup winner Palacios was particularly popular. One young fan came up with a bright idea and brought a replica World Cup with him – to be able to get a special photo with the Argentinian. Palacios was also in demand with the members of the media present.
After showering and lunch, Palacios was then given a rousing reception from the Bayer 04 members of staff at the BayArena. Sporting managing director Simon Rolfes presented the World Cup winner with a gift and the Werkself player joined in with the group photo.
The Werkself will complete preparations over the winter break in Leverkusen rather than away on a winter training camp. Head coach Xabi Alonso will hold daily sessions with his players this week ahead of the friendly against Venezia on Saturday 7 January (kick-off: 15.00 CET). All the training sessions are currently open but may be subject to late changes. The training session on Wednesday 4 January starts at 10.30 CET with the rest of sessions in week beginning at 11.00 CET. The Werkself have Sunday off.
Bayer 04 play the fourth and final friendly of the winter break against the Danish champions FC Copenhagen at the BayArena on Sunday 15 January (kick-off: 13.00 CET). The first Bundesliga fixture in 2023 sees the Werkself visit Borussia Mönchengladbach a week later on 22 January with the kick-off at 17.30 CET.
The Werkself beat Olympiacos 2-0 in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-off first leg to claim a crucial victory in the Greek capital. After a focused first-half display with a number of presentable chances, Patrik Schick crowned a textbook counter to hand the Werkself the lead on the hour (60’). The Czech rounded off his brace when he headed in from a corner just 144 seconds later. Bayer 04 maintained their lead with aplomb to achieve a good position for the return leg in Leverkusen.
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Bayer 04 and Olympiacos had only met twice before the current UEFA Champions campaign. After the encounter on Matchday 7 of this season’s league phase, the Werkself travel to face the Greek side for the second time in just four weeks for the knockout play-off first leg. The Black and Reds were dominant for large spells in mid-January but lost 2-0 after missing a number of presentable chances. The Werkself aim to do better on Wednesday night to “seize the chance for revenge,” as managing director sport Simon Rolfes put it. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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A rematch in Athens: On Wednesday, 18 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET), the Werkself face Greek double winners Olympiacos for the second time this season at the Karaiskakis Stadium. After the encounter in the league phase, it's now time for the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-offs. Ahead of the game, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about how his side will approach the clash, while captain Robert Andrich explained how the team will try to dampen the atmosphere in the stadium tomorrow.
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With the much-celebrated 2-1 derby win against 1. FC Köln, the Bayer 04 Women underlined their credentials as one of the top teams in the Bundesliga. Anyone wishing to support the Werkself in the stadium in the race for third place can now purchase tickets for the home match against FC Carl Zeiss Jena. Tickets are also still available for the upcoming clash against TSG Hoffenheim at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Sunday, 22 February. The latest information at a glance.
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