The Werkself players arrived in good mood late in the afternoon for the first training session of the new year. Before the players went on the pitch, there was a warm-up session inside the BayArena including several stretching exercises. Fans already present were able to watch the Werkself warm up from above.
Around seven o'clock, the Bayer 04 players entered the pitch at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium to the backdrop of thunderous applause and vocal support from the 1,700 fans. Also in the group were youth players Artem Stepanov, Othniel Raterik and Andrea Natali.
In the presence of the sporting managing director Simon Rolfes and director of professional teams Thomas Eichin the session started in icy temperatures of two degrees with passing and receiving drills in small and large groups. Head coach Xabi Alonso kept a close eye on proceedings and again and again made a contribution. The goalkeeping trio including captain Lukas Hradecky as usual worked separately with goalkeeping coach David Thiel. To follow up there were more intensive drills in tight spaces as well as a sprinting session.
After the intense session, the returning Werkself players took time out for autograph and photo requests from the fans present.
The training sessions on Saturday and Sunday will be behind closed doors. On Sunday, 5 January, the Werkself have a friendly at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium against Regional League side Rot-Weiß Oberhausen. The match kicks off at noon CET. All the tickets for game have been sold but there will be a free live stream on Werkself TV as well as on YouTube.
The first competitive match for Bayer 04 in the new year follows on Friday, 10 January (kick-off: 20.30 CET) away to Borussia Dortmund. Away tickets for the first match of the year for the German double winners have all been sold. The first game for the Werkself at the BayArena is on Tuesday, 14 January (kick-off: 20.30 CET) against Mainz 05. Remaining tickets are available HERE.
The Werkself have reached at least the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal in each of the last three years. The Black-and-Reds would like to make it to the final four of the competition again this season, but to do that they'll need to overcome 1. FC Nürnberg in round two, who travel to the BayArena with momentum following a successful league campaign so far. However, Bayer have a 100 percent record at home in all competitions this season - and have also won six of their last seven home matches in the Pokal. The Matchday News.
Show more
Back at home in the second round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal, Bayer 04 host FC Nürnberg at the BayArena. The match against the current second-placed side in Bundesliga 2 is on Wednesday 28 October at 20:45 CET. Ahead of the game, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about his anticipation of the clash in front of a home crowd. The Spaniard also commented on a number of personnel matters, including Ibrahim Maza and Montrell Culbreath, plus the visitors’ coach, Miroslav Klose.
Show more
Now in their third season under head coach Miroslav Klose, FC Nürnberg are among the promotion contenders in Bundesliga 2. On Wednesday 28 October (kick-off: 20:45 CET), the team currently second in the table are away to Bayer 04 in the second round of the DFB Pokal. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
Werkself player Ibrahim Maza has been named in the top ten in the ‘Men’s Young Talent of the Year’ category for 2026. The 20-year-old was at the London Palladium on Monday evening for the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony. Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, also attended the ceremony. Lamine Yamal of Barcelona was named the winner in the ‘Men’s Young Talent of the Year’ category.
Show more
Bayer 04 will have to manage without forward Moussa Diaby for their upcoming matches. The 27-year-old Frenchman sustained a thigh injury in the 3-0 defeat against TSG Hoffenheim yesterday afternoon, Sunday 25 October. Diaby is expected to be available again after the international break in November.
Show more
