In addition to three goalkeepers, Peter Bosz had 17 outfield players (16 pros plus Jan Boller from the U19s) at his disposal. In addition to long-term injuries Joel Pohjanpalo and Panos Retsos, the head coach had to manage without Wendell plus Sven and Lars Bender who completed individual sessions. Bosz is not unduly concerned regarding the Bayern match: "I don't think that will be a problem." Also, Charles Aránguiz only completed part of the session with the team on the training ground before disappearing into the BayArena with the fitness coaches. "It was an intensive training session today – that wasn't suitable for everybody," said the coach.
The session on the pitch started for the Werkself, including birthday boy Sam Schreck, with a short passing game in two groups before Bosz extended the pitches for a one-touch session with his players. That was followed by short sprint drills, which Kevin Volland, Karim Bellarabi and Tin Jedvaj sat out, and a practice match at the end.. Peter Bosz stretched his players in an eight-a-side game on half a pitch. He played 5×8 minutes with exactly two minutes in between for a breather. "That's important for fitness levels," said the 55-year-old before the last short game as motivation.
There will be no full training session on Wednesday. The sessions on Thursday and Friday will be held behind closed doors as preparations continue in earnest for the game against Bayern. At the BayArena on Saturday, Bosz is expecting "a good game. Two teams face each other who like to get on the front foot. That’s always good for the fans," he said. "Bayern have to win – and they also want to win," said the Dutchman about the team currently lying second in the table, six points behind Borussia Dortmund ahead of matchday 20. "If it's possible, I'll do my former club a favour on Saturday," added Bosz with a wink of the eye. "But in case we win, we're primarily doing it for ourselves of course.”
Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
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Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
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