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.
Bayer 04 earned a 2-2 draw at FC Augsburg on Bundesliga Matchday 3 with a late equaliser. The Werkself led at half-time through Christian Kofane's strike but the hosts, who went in the game as league leaders, turned it around with a quickfire double from Michael Gregoritsch after the break. The Black-and-Reds didn't give up, though, and salvaged a point thanks to substitute Patrik Schick's flick in the 89th minute.
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After the first win of the season against 1. FC Union Berlin (4-0) last weekend, the Werkself are aiming to collect another three points at FC Augsburg on Saturday 12 September (kick-off 15:30 CEST). The hosts, meanwhile, are enjoying their best-ever start to a Bundesliga campaign and go into Matchday 3 top of the table for the first time. The Matchday News.
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The Werkself are away to FC Augsburg on matchday 3 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season. The game at the WWK Arena against the current – and for the first time – league leaders of the German top flight is on Saturday 12 September at 15:30 CEST. Ahead of the match, head coach Carles Martínez spoke about this week’s training and the team’s approach to the fixture, as they face an opponent brimming with confidence. The Spaniard also addressed a number of squad matters.
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FC Augsburg are top of the table for the first time in their Bundesliga history. After two wins for starters, FCA lead the German top-flight with six points and a goal difference of 7 to 1. This Saturday, 12 September (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), Augsburg are looking to build on their strong start to the season against the Werkself. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Following the closure of the 2026 summer transfer window, the Bayer 04 men's and women's first teams lined up for a first-ever joint photo at the BayArena. Werkself fans can now download the official photos for free.
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