"Today we only practised drills rather than moves but it's good that Lars got through the session without any problems. That gives us hope that we can increase his workload over the week so he can be back on the pitch on Saturday," said Heiko Herrlich, who ruled the 28-year-old out of the Gladbach game. According to the medical section, the absence of Havertz, Volland and Wendell is due to resting them or controlling workloads. Sven Bender, recently sidelined with an ankle injury, was able to train on his own on Monday.
There is good news regarding Lukas Hradecky. The 28-year-old Finn left the protective helmet he has been wearing in training following his jaw operation in the dressing room. He also took part in goalkeeping training without his mask. There is no final diagnosis at the moment but it is to be assumed he will return to full training in the near future. However, Herrlich has ruled him out for Saturday: "We don't want to take any unnecessary risks with Lukas."Rambo Özcan will be in goal again for the first Werkself home game of the season.
In glorious sunshine and temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, the Bayer 04 Women have begun their preparations for the new season. With a relaxed first session at the Kurtekotten training centre, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team became the first Bundesliga side to resume training after a 37-day break.
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Black and Red stand out. Under the slogan ‘Diversity under the Cross’, Bayer 04 took part in Pride on the Rhine at the weekend alongside the queer fan club “Bayer 04 Junxx”. The club mascot, Brian the Lion, and several members of staff were also in attendance, championing diversity and solidarity.
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Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
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