
You've been hiking today – was it very tiring?
Yurchenko: It was okay but the last stretch was tiring. But it's good for the team – and it was something different for a change.
What's the mood like in the team at the training camp? Yurchenko: We're all a bit tired but that's normal for a training camp. The important thing is the fact we're all having fun because we're together.
We could do with a win against Lazio, couldn't we?
Yurchenko: Yes of course, we've definitely got to win. Lazio are good opponents so we'll need to play well and, above all, score more goals..
Who are your best friends in the team?
Yurchenko: I get on really well with everybody so there aren't any individual players.
04 fan questions - Thanks for joining in.
André Maier(via Facebook): What went through your mind when you scored your first Champions League goal against Monaco?
Yurchenko: It felt great and a dream that had come true. It was a really good night for me.
Gina Adii König (via Facebook): Why have you changed your shirt number?
Yurchenko: My birthday's on 22 January – that's why it's my new number.
Pascal Weinrich (via Facebook): Can you speak good German?
Yurchenko: No. (laughs) I want to but it's not that good as yet. I hope it'll improve.
Leandros Amaadacho (via Facebook): What was the name of your first club?
Yurchenko: I started in football at Mykolaiv, the town where I was born. I played there for six or seven years.

In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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Following the summer break, most of the players are back in Leverkusen. While two Bayer 04 first-team players are still in action at the World Cup, the players present officially kicked off the new season with fitness assessments. At the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehabilitation and training centre, Robert Andrich, Edmond Tapsoba and the rest of the squad worked up quite a sweat in the sweltering summer heat. New signings Afonso Moreira and Kennet Eichhorn also successfully completed the day’s sessions alongside their new team-mates.
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The Werkself return tomorrow, Tuesday 14 July (from 11:00 CEST at the BayArena; live stream on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and YouTube), with new head coach Carles Martínez leading his first training session as part of the Bayer 04 set-up. His coaching team comprises a mix of new and long-standing colleagues.
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The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico is underway. A total of eight Leverkusen players are taking part in the 23rd World Cup, with 48 teams in the tournament for the first time. Bayer04.de brings you all the latest from Werkself players at the World Cup.
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