Bosz is happy his players were able to switch off for a few days over Christmas and New Year. “It’s also good for clearing your mind,” said the Dutchman who was pleased to welcome his players back to the training pitch at Leverkusen: “That’s important. We’re flying out to the training camp tomorrow and then we only have a couple of days before the Bundesliga gets going again.” The Black and Reds are away to SC Paderborn 07 on Sunday 19 January (kick-off: 18.00 CET).
In the first training session of the new year, Bosz and Co. focussed passing and shooting after the warm-up routine with and without the ball. It was clear to see that the Werkself players were happy to be back on the pitch. 17 outfield players and four goalkeepers took part in the session including Lars Bender and Mitchell Weiser who completed a first full training session after returning from injury.
The South Americans Lucas Alario, Charles Aránguiz, Wendell, new signing Exequiel Palacios plus the Jamaican Leon Bailey were absent. “They’re flying straight to the training camp and will join us on Sunday,” said Bosz who is looking to mainly use the time in Spain “to talk to the players a lot and prepare well. Most of the players know our style of play very well but we want to keep on working on it and make slight adjustments. We can improve in all areas and if we can get a bit better across the board then can be worth a lot put together.”
Paulinho will not travel to Spain. The Brazilian striker is with his country’s Olympic team preparing for the qualifying tournament in Tokyo from 18 January to 9 February.
Asked about the winter signing Palacios, who will train with the Werkself squad for the first time in La Manga, Bosz explained: “He will get time. It will be important for him to get used to Europe, Germany, the Bundesliga, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, the language – those are lots of changes. We saw a similar situation with Moussa Diaby where it also took a bit longer.”
After the training session, Bayer 04 head coach talked about a possible contract extension with his current deal due to end in the summer: “Since I started here, I’ve always said I’m very happy. It’s fun working here. We’ll talk at the training camp. This issue doesn’t need to take months.”
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of the 3-0 victory in the friendly match against Rot-Weiss Essen...
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without Kennet Eichhorn for the time being. Following specialist medical examinations, the new signing from Berlin has been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder requiring treatment. This was preceded by excessive physical strain and weight loss, partly as a result of a gastrointestinal condition.
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A successful fourth preseason friendly ahead of the start of the training camp: The Werkself secured a 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The goals in what was a commanding and dominant performance by Leverkusen from the outset were scored by Ibrahim Maza (8'), Patrik Schick from the penalty spot (23’) and, in the second half, Montrell Culbreath with a header (79’). The team set off for their training camp in Blankenhain in the Weimarer Land region after the game.
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