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 Champions League journey continues! On the eighth and final matchday of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26, Bayer 04 secured their place in the play-offs with a commanding 3-0 win over Villarreal. Malik Tillman put in a mature and combative performance for Leverkusen, scoring a brace (12', 35') to make it 2-0 at the break, while Alejandro Grimaldo (57') and plenty of control of the game did the rest in the second half. The draw for the Werkself's next UCL opponents will take place on Friday 30 January at 12:00 CET.
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The Leverkusen eSports team played the remaining three of the six matches in the online preliminary round of the fourth showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26. RB Leipzig and SC Freiburg were among the teams with the highest goal threat, including two World Cup participants in their ranks. Although the #B04eSports players were defeated in the matches overall, nine points from the first three games last week were enough for Leverkusen to advance to the offline round in Berlin on 2 February.
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A decisive showdown awaits: The Werkself are aiming to progress to the play-off round of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League with a home win against Villarreal CF on the eighth and final matchday of the league phase. Ahead of the match on Wednesday, 28 January (kick-off: 21:00 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the importance of the game, the possible return of Edmond Tapsoba and a statement from new signing Jonas Omlin in an exclusive interview with Werkself TV. Lucas Vázquez, for his part, spoke about his role on and off the pitch as well as tomorrow’s opponents, who he often faced in Spain with Real Madrid.
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For Villarreal CF, the match at Bayer 04 on Wednesday, 28 January (kick-off: 21:00 CET), will be their last appearance on the European stage this season. The Spanish side, currently fourth in La Liga, are still without a win in the UEFA Champions League and, with just one point from their seven games so far, have no chance of making the play-offs. The 2021 Europa League winners can therefore play without any pressure at the BayArena and will be looking to bow out of the competition with a good performance. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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