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.
Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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One ticket, two matches – and a varied programme of events, including appearances by players from the professional teams: Bayer 04 has come up with something very special for the 2026 season launch on Saturday, 8 August. From morning right through to the evening, Werkself fans can use just one ticket to not only enjoy top-class football from the Bayer 04 teams live, but also to experience unforgettable moments with the whole family through a variety of hands-on activities around the BayArena and the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The day will also end on a real high note: after both matches, Bayer 04 supporters will have the opportunity to interact directly with the players during joint activities and get to know them from a different angle.
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Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
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