Heiko Herrlich had 15 outfield players available for the last open training session of the week – That included four U 17 players Adrian Stanilewicz, Ismail Devici, Max Schneider and Herdi Bukusu. Kai Havertz and Panagiotis Retsos were also back in training – as they were on Monday – and Julian Baumgartlinger also completed parts of the session. After recovering from a torn cruciate in his knee, the Austrian was able to complete individual work and was also able to take part in a warm-up and in positional play with his team-mates on the pitch. "That was a small step in the right direction for him today," said the Bayer 04 head coach. The plan is for 'Baumi' to rejoin full training next week.
Continuing knee problems for Charles Aránguiz had held him back but now he is making progress in rehab. The Werkself number 20 did half an hour's work with the ball on a neighbouring pitch before continuing his fitness programme in the gym at the BayArena.
Ahead of the Hanover game, the Werkself have two more full training sessions – the two sessions tomorrow and on Friday are closed to the public.
Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
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Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
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Opening opponents, derby weekends, the opponents in the season finale: This information and more will be available to Bayer 04 fans on Thursday, 2 July, when the 2026/27 Bundesliga fixture list is published.
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The next footballing highlight is just around the corner: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 23rd edition of the tournament, will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico and feature 48 teams for the first time. Bayer04.de has all the latest on the Werkself players called up to represent their countries.
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While the majority of the Bayer 04 Women are enjoying their summer break, nine Werkself players will be on duty for their national teams in the coming days. Three of them are competing for a place at the World Cup, while six are involved in two friendlies with the Germany U23 team.
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