#B04imSchwarzwald – Fan meeting at the team hotel and untimely thunderstorm

The at times heavy rain in the morning had faded at the start of the training session before midday so that the many spectators at the SV Aasen sportsground could put away their umbrellas. They witnessed a 30-minute session on the second pitch consisting of passing and running.

As previously announced, the session then continued on the main pitch behind closed doors with the focus on formations and tactics. Then it was all over on the pitch and the Werkself carried on in the athletics marquee. Training ended after another 30 minutes to be followed by lunch and media events in the hotel for some of the players.

thunderstorm stops Rolfes, Alonso and Co.

While the players went back into the team hotel after training to get a shower, sporting managing director Simon Rolfes, head coach Xabi Alonso and some of his fellow coaches prepared for the traditional training camp kickabout. The teams had already been selected for the clash between young and old and the warm-up routine was coming to an end - but then came thunder and heavy rain leading to the abandoning of this year’s kickabout.

Werkself players in Interview Marathon

The time after lunch for several Werkself players meant a range of meetings with German and foreign media representatives. Florian Wirtz talked to a group of journalists about Euro 2024, the preseason and the forthcoming campaign. Lukas Hradecky and other players also took time out to meet interview requests.

Training camp tradition: Fan meeting with Carro and Rolfes at the team hotel

While the players involved in interviews with the media also had a few hours off, Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes were welcoming some of the many travelling Werkself fans to the traditional fan meeting at the team hotel. Some of them have been coming to training camps for many years and the Silver Lions organised tour to Donaueschingen was also present.

At the start of the meeting, Carro thanked the fans "wholeheartedly for your great and unstinting support." Rolfes added: "I hope you are feeling the anticipation for the new season as much as we are. Let's approach this year as we did last season." After the words of introduction, the fans had the chance to put questions to the two managing directors – and they had lots of questions on a range of subjects such as personnel and ticketing.

Many fans also took the opportunity to say thank you for the double season. An older fan talked about "many indescribable moments," while another said: "I'm very happy that we are still a family despite the current acclaim." Rolfes declared: "Proximity to the fans is very important to our players and also to us in management. Of course, we will continue to be like that." And representatives of SV Aasen, whose facilities the Werkself used for their training sessions, came and expressed their gratitude for the "very friendly relations” with the Bayer 04 fans on site.

One of the many questions related to the moment where Lucas Hradecky handed over the Meisterschale to the fans in the North Stand at the BayArena on matchday 34. Carro said: "I was surprised that the moment did not attract much attention in the media. For us it was straightforward and also natural to hand over the Schale to the fans. They are a very important part of us, the gesture by Lukas and the team was a really great sign."

After the comprehensive round of questions and gratitude, Carro and Rolfes mixed with the group and enjoyed the traditional fan meeting in a relaxed atmosphere together with the fans.

outlook: Last Training session and onward journey

The Werkself have another and final training session in Donaueschingen on Friday. Training starts at 10.30 CEST. The first part of the session is open to fans and the second is behind closed doors. After the session there will be no possibility of getting autographs and selfies with the players as the team will be travelling straight on to the north of France. There is a friendly away to RC Lens on Saturday 3 August (kick-off: 16.00 CEST).