And they're off again at the BayArena
The waiting is over. The Werkself started the preseason ahead of 2017/18 with obligatory performance tests on Monday morning.
There was already good news in the camp before Stefan Kießling, Lars Bender & Co. started on the ergometers in the Werkstatt at the BayArena. Youngster Kai Havertz will continue his career at the club he has played for since he was child having agreed a contract extension to 2022. Bayer 04 retain one of Germany's most talented youngsters and a homegrown lad at that.
The performance tests go on until Tuesday and on Wednesday at 10.30 Heiko Herrlich holds his first training session as the Bayer 04 head coach to hopefully start a successful season. There is great anticipation amongst the players. "After the last game of the season in Berlin some of the players came to me and said it can't go on like this," said Jonas Boldt in a media conference on Monday. Everybody at Leverkusen is looking to be positive going into the new season. "I'm not sceptical at all. The most important thing for us is to play as a team again in games," added the Bayer 04 sporting manager.
Internationals set to return
Heiko Herrlich is not yet able to work with his Germany trio Bernd Leno, Julian Brandt and Benny Henrichs as they are on a deserved holiday after winning the Confed Cup. The same applies to Charles Aránguiz who was on the losing side with Chile in the 1-0 defeat in the final against Germany, as well as Chicharito whose Mexico team finished in fourth place. And returnee Dominik Kohr is also enjoying a break after winning the European Championship title with the Germany U21s. All six pros are due to rejoin the squad at the training camp in Zell am See/Kaprun.
The first friendly of the season against SF Baumberg, due to be played on Saturday 8 July, had to be postponed after a fire in the stand in the Jahn Stadium in Langenfeld. Bayer 04 are currently involved in discussions to arrange an alternative friendly against opposition of a similar level.
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