
… the return to training: It was enormously important for me and all of us. You meet up with your teammates, can finally get back on the pitch –it’s just great fun. The whole thing feels like a second lot of pre-season training. You can see everybody’s excited and determined. Perhaps the break has done us good in terms of gaining strength and being up for the possible end of season run-in.
… his own fitness: I missed two games before the break in the season due to a shoulder injury. The break came at just the right time for me. I did some running and weight training. I can play again now. If we get going again in a couple of weeks then I’ll be fully fit.
… his training partner: Kerem Demirbay, Jonathan Tah and I formed a group at the start. We had loads of fun together. Now I’m training with Julian Baumgartlinger, Lars Bender and Karim Bellarabi. The excitement and levels are very high.
… the possibility of restarting the Bundesliga behind closed doors: I hope and believe we’ll be able to play again at the start of May. It will be a pity to start without fans but I can’t wait to get going again. We’re all full of desire and passion for the Bundesliga.
… a possible final spurt for the Werkself: It will be a major readjustment for us at first when we all train again and are able to play again. But we’re all experienced and we’ll soon get used to it. Our aim in the Bundesliga is to qualify for the Champions League. We’re working very hard at the moment – even though it is in small groups
… precautions at Bayer 04: We keep our distance, sanitise again and again, and regularly wash our hands.
… his daily routine: After training, I’ve done a bit of gaming and, above all, enjoyed time with my family.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 midfielder Jonah Berghoff ahead of schedule. The Germany U18 international has signed professional terms with the club to 30 June 2030.
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With sixth place at the end of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign, Bayer 04 ended a season in the top third of the table for the ninth time in a row. While the Werkself were narrowly eliminated in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 by eventual finalists Arsenal, the Black and Reds reached the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal for the third season in succession. As in previous years, you once again have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app up to and including 11 June.
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With 46 points in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga, the Bayer 04 Women’s team once again broke the previous season's club record and ended up in fifth place - 15 wins is also a record. As in previous years, you now have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is open exclusively to Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app by 11 June.
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The guests at the Scala Club in Leverkusen were amazed when host Reiner Calmund suddenly brought the Managing Director of Sport at Bayer 04, Simon Rolfes, and record Werkself appearance maker Rüdiger Vollborn onto the stage. As part of the show "An Evening with Football & Friends", organised by long-serving Bayer 04 managing director and general manager Calmund, the two surprise guests drew plenty of applause - and provided great entertainment in exciting conversations about the past and future.
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