The U19 training group was significantly smaller during the international break. But there are very good reasons for that: A total of eight players were able to show what they could do at first team training and, according to U19 coach Markus von Ahlen, “were able to gain important experience. The feedback was that the lads have done a good job but could have been a little livelier.” For von Ahlen and his fellow coach Patrik Weiser, the promotion of their players resulted in a significantly changed approach to the daily training sessions: “We often only had ten or eleven players in training,” von Ahlen reported. “That means you can work well on an individual basis but, on the other hand, it makes it difficult from the team tactics point of view.”
There is also good news in terms of the injury list. Both Marvin Alexa and Seymour Fünger were able to take part in much of the full training sessions during the international break with Yannick Schlösser and long-term injury Achunike-Elijah Ekene also able to get involved at times. “We hope our incredibly long injury list shortens soon,” said von Ahlen. The coaches will have to manage without the suspended goalkeeper Marcel Johnen with Jakob Brambach again stepping into the breach.
Regardless of their personal situation, Bayer 04 will be looking to register their first home win of the season on Sunday 18 October. With the kick off at 11.00 CEST, the U19s entertain Rot-Weiß Oberhausen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The game will again be played behind closed doors. The opponents have started the season with the maximum six points from their first two games. “Oberhausen have always been a tough opponent in recent years and you have to break them down,” said von Ahlen who says RWO are “very strong up front.” For his team, it is all about, “using space in attacks and improving efficiency both in attack and defence.” The U19s went into the international break on the back of the cup defeat against FC Köln.
The international break for the U17 side lasts a week longer. The team under Jan Hoepner and Tomasz Zdebel have a weekend off in the 17-strong Bundesliga West. The team have a friendly against the TSV Meerbusch U19s on Tuesday 20 October (kick-off: 19.15 CEST) at Kurtekotten.
The other Bayer 04 junior teams also have no competitive games at the weekend. The U8s have a friendly on Saturday 17 October (kick-off: 11.30 CEST) away to the Sportfreunde Königshardt U9s in Oberhausen and the youth teams will play other friendlies during the week.
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.
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In issue #56 of Werkself Magazine, Afonso Moreira offers some interesting insights into his home country, Portugal, as part of the ‘Sag mal’ (Tell me) feature. Among other things, the 21-year-old talks about his favourite places in the country on the Iberian Peninsula, the local cuisine and music, as well as heroes and historical figures beyond the world of football. ‘Sag mal’ with Afonso Moreira!
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