The team were based at the Sporthotel Lindner in Westerburg from 17 to 23 August for the second year in succession during the pre-season. "The training pitch is just round the corner, three minutes away on foot. The facilities are brilliant," said Jessica Wich. There were up to three training sessions a day – and every morning at seven o'clock there was a five-kilometre run around Wiesensee. "The atmosphere in the team was good and everybody was in a good mood. After a couple of days there were also heavy legs…," added Wich. "The sessions at the training camp are definitely more strenuous. We reached our physical limits – but that's the point of the pre-season."
Assistant coach Jacqueline Dünker also drew a positive conclusion: “We've learned that there is a lot to get out of our players at a training camp. That's why we've used the time we had available – so one session was longer than planned," revealed the 34-year-old. "In addition, we were also able to sit down with the players to discuss tactical things for example, which we don't have the time for in a week of normal training sessions."
The main intention for the coaching staff in the pre-season is to bring the players together as a unit. This summer has seen the Werkself Women's squad strengthened with the addition of eight new signings and three players coming through from the youth ranks. "As we have so many new signings it was important to us that the girls had time off to get to know each other. We slightly adjusted the coaching plan – but we also had three more days at the training camp compared with last year," said Dünker. Wich added: "Our new signings introduced themselves with a little song and show routine and that was very funny. They've all got different characters. They immediately fitted in with the team and I think they felt well received."
Further impressions of the training camp are available in the video above.
Just in time for the start of the school year, everyone was hard at work again at NaturGut Ophoven. For the 21st time, Bayer 04 have supported the annual ‘BioBrotbox’ campaign, which puts together a healthy breakfast for first-year primary school pupils in Leverkusen – and not only contributed 1,904 muesli bars but also plenty of enthusiasm too: Together with the U19 players Burak Kir and Clinton Wilson, Emily Wallrabenstein and Paulina Platner from the Women’s Bundesliga team helped with the packing. The latter was clearly delighted “that Bayer 04 are helping out with regional projects like this and showing their commitment to the local community”.
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A group of about 50 members of the Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo visited Leverkusen over the past few days, accompanied by Bayer 04 club legend Paulo Sergio and Luiz Felipe (managing director of academy in São Paulo) for a week full of football, encounters and very special insights. In addition to the Bundesliga away game in Elversberg and the home game against Union Berlin, the visit also featured a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy in Leverkusen and a tour of the Bayer AG facilities. The guests also gained special insights into the club and the world of Bayer 04.
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The men's clothing retailer LERROS will remain the official fashion and premium partner of Bayer 04 for the current season. As in the past, LERROS will provide the club's men's team, coaching staff and management with high-quality clothing for international trips.
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“Diaby! Diaby! Diaby!” was the cry around the BayArena as the Werkself danced in front of the north stand following their 4-0 win over Union Berlin. Captain Edmond Tapsoba gave his new (and old) teammate a friendly shove forward to take in the acclaim from the fans. The returning Frenchman was typically reserved in thanking the supporters but was clearly emotional about what was happening.
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