#B04goesUSA – Up, up and away on Tuesday
The holidays are over: The Werkself fly out to Florida on Tuesday afternoon for the third successive winter training camp in Orlando.
The Bayer 04 squad went their different ways after the final game of 2016 away to FC Köln to enjoy a period of rest and relaxation over Christmas and New Year ahead of the challenges in 2017. Bernd Leno and Vladlen Yurchenko holidayed in Dubai, Joel Pohjanpalo headed off to Sydney, Jonathan Tah, Karim Bellarabi and Admir Mehmedi flew to the USA. Tuesday marks the return to work for the Werkself squad starting with a communal breakfast at the BayArena along with Roger Schmidt and his coaching staff before embarking on the long journey over the Atlantic. Bayer 04 fly out from Frankfurt Airport in the late afternoon on course for Florida where Leverkusen will hold their third successive winter training camp in Orlando.
Optimum conditions
In addition to intensive efforts to promote the Bayer 04 brand in the USA, the visit to the Sunshine State is also about establishing a solid basis for a successful second half of the season. Over the past two years, the Werkself have discovered the facilities are outstanding at the team hotel Omni Resort at ChampionsGate. "The training pitches are perfect, close to the hotel and we don't have to worry about the weather," said sporting director Rudi Völler.
Roger Schmidt has organised two training sessions for Wednesday at 10.00 and 16.00 local time. A packed agenda is on the cards for the rest of the time at the training camp. The Florida Cup sees Bayer 04 take on a Estudiantes de la Plata from Argentina on Sunday 8 January and Atlético Mineiro from Brazil on Wednesday 11 January. "These two games are more than just friendlies. We have played absolutely top quality teams in the past two years. And it will be the same again this time round. They almost feel like competitive matches," said Rudi Völler.
NBA game on the agenda
There will also be a chance for the Bayer 04 players to take a break from football during their time in Florida. The NBA match between Orlando Magic and the Houston Rockets is on the agenda for Friday – that will be a genuine highlight for Werkself pros like Stefan Kießling.
You can keep up-to-date with events in Florida from Tuesday round-the-clock via our hashtag #B04goesUSA. Just log on toTwitter,Facebook,Instagram and Snapchat (@bayer04snaps). Information on the Werkself training camp is available here in German, English and Spanish: >> http://www.bayer04.de/goesUSA <<
Related News
Bundesliga - 29.11.2025
Matchday news #B04BVB: Various campaigns around big game
There won’t just be plenty of excitement on the pitch as Bayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena at 18:30 CET on Saturday. Outside the stadium there will be collection points for food donations to the Leverkusen Foodbank, which will also benefit from the profits of a jersey raffle in the Fanwelt afterwards. There will also be a minute’s silence before kick-off following the passing of long-time Werkself player Dieter Herzog, before two fan clubs are honoured for their decades-long support at half-time and fans receive a talk about Orange Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
Show more
Werkself-TV - 28.11.2025
Hjulmand ahead of #B04BVB: ‘Play our game again’
Bayer 04 go into the first of two successive clashes with Borussia Dortmund boosted by their Champions League win at Manchester City. Ahead of the Bundesliga top match on Saturday, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the tight schedule, BVB's strengths and returning squad members.
Show more
Bundesliga - 28.11.2025
Our next opponents: Effective up front, stable at the back - BVB on course
Borussia Dortmund are doing very well in terms of points and results in the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. BVB have only suffered two defeats to date this term. Now coach Niko Kovac's team are away to the Werkself on Saturday night, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET) in the top match on Bundesliga matchday 12. The two teams meet again three days later in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie in Dortmund. Two very competitive encounters are on the cards. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
Women - 27.11.2025
3-2 friendly win - Women defeat Dutch league leaders
The Bayer 04 Women clcoked up a 3-2 win in a friendly against Twente Enschede on Thursday afternoon in the last international break of 2025. In drizzle, Lilla Turanyi (16’), Kristin Kögel (65’) and Paulina Bartz (69’) scored the goals for the Werkself against the Dutch Eredivisie Vrouwen leaders, who are still unbeaten in the league.
Show more
