Ahead of the toughest session of the week, most of the pros were in the players lounge at 07.15 CET. Lars Bender and Co. usually arrive for breakfast at the BayArena around 08.45 CET but getting up early was on the agenda today. The reason: Due to temperatures above 30 degrees, the coaching staff decided to bring forward the session to nine in the morning.
The Werkself players still put in a shift and were sweating and not just because of the temperatures. Peter Bosz constantly drove his players on and they had to finish the session with a tournament on small pitches. Again and again tackles, shots and intensive sprints. Even the goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky was exhausted after the final whistle was blown by the head coach. "I can hardly speak," said the 29-year-old who did manage to find his voice again when he spoke to the representatives of the media where he covered the areas where the Werkself need to keep working in spite of three successive wins for starters: "I want to have another clean sheet at long last. I don't like conceding goals at all."
One player who often was successful in achieving that missed the session on Tuesday. Jonathan Tah reported sick on Monday. The Werkself number four was better today but only able to complete an individual session on the ergometer in the Werkstatt. However, the medical department are confident that the Germany international will be able to rejoin his team-mates at the closed training session on Thursday.
Lucas Alario, who was present today, received very good news yesterday. After a break of two years, the Argentinian has been called up for his national side again (three caps, one goal). Alongside stars like Paulo Dybala and Nicolas Otamendi, the 26-year-old will be in the squad for the forthcoming friendlies in the USA against Chile (6 September) and Mexico (10 September). "Being called up again came as a bit of a surprise. Nevertheless, I'm obviously proud to have the chance to play for my country," said Alario as he thanked the national coach Lionel Scaloni, "for giving me this chance. It's great motivation for me to continue working hard on my game. I will enjoy the moment and definitely use the chance I now have."
The call-up also pleases head coach Peter Bosz: "I've got to know him as a lad who always does his job and has never complained to me: 'Coach, why aren't I playing?' Or: 'I've scored three goals. Why can't I play from the start again?' A lot of players do that. And that's okay. But he works and battles."
Before Saturday's Bundesliga fixture, all eyes at Leverkusen will be on Monaco on Thursday evening. The group stage for the UEFA Champions League will be drawn from 18.00 CET. While a delegation led by Fernando Carro, the chairman of the board, will be at the event in the Grimaldi Forum, Lukas Hradecky will be watching it on television. "I've waited 30 years for it," joked the 29-year-old who is set to play in Europe's premier club competition for the first time. "To hear the anthem at last, and play against the best clubs in Europe: That's always been on my bucket list." And the Finland keeper also has a wish regarding his first away tie. "Even when I was a small child I dreamed of playing at the Camp Nou." The home of Barcelona – Bayer 04 have played the Spanish side eight times in the Champions League. There is certainly room for improvement there with just one win and one draw so far.
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
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From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.
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It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.
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There’s lots going on at the BayArena today. The home game against FSV Mainz 05 is all about the numerous Bayer 04 fan clubs, whose birth - the founding of the "1. Fanclub 1976 Leverkusen" - dates back 50 years. A number of fan club representatives will be involved in awards, a banner display and a half-time matchday chat, and the Werkself are set to play in a special white fan club jersey. During half-time, Leverkusen mayor Stefan Hebbel and javelin world champion Steffi Nerius will also talk about the Olympic bid involving Leverkusen. Black and Red fans are advised to get to the stadium in good time today. Matchday news.
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The Werkself host Premier League club Arsenal in the Round of 16 first leg in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on 10/11 March. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.
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