#B04imSchwarzwald – Frimpong returns and team evening with a view

Jeremie Frimpong arrived at the team hotel in Donaueschingen on Tuesday evening as expected. The 23-year-old was at Euro 2024 with the Netherlands who progressed to the semi-finals. After being knocked out of the tournament at the beginning of July – like every other Leverkusen player on international duty – he had three weeks for a well-deserved summer holiday.

Frimpong was reunited with his teammates for the first time after the summer break at breakfast on Wednesday morning – and there was huge joy! The Netherlands international said on his return: "Of course, the holiday did me good after the intensive season and the Euros. But now I'm very happy to be back and to give my all for the new season together with the lads."

The focus for Xabi Alonso and his fellow coaches at the morning session, which also saw Frimpong back on the pitch, was on passing moves in tight spaces. Once again in summer temperatures, the Werkself were hard work with part of the 500 plus fans present sounding vocal support with shouts of champions of Germany

visit from local football school

Following part one of the training on the pitch, Alonso dedicated plenty of time for autographs and photo requests from the fans. That included participants at the Tiki Taka football school from neighbouring Bad Dürrheim and the Spanish head coach joined them for a group photo. At the same time, the players carried on working in the athletics marquee with the session ending 30 minutes later.

Alonso: "International Interest in Bayer 04 at a completely different level"

After the training session, Alonso fielded questions from members of the media at the team hotel. The Spaniard was asked about the large number of spectators at the training sessions: "Last year (Saalfelden in Austria, ed.) we had a lot of fans at the training camp but the numbers are at a completely different level this year. We are very happy about that. During the summer break I was asked about Bayer 04 everywhere I went. Also on the Seychelles and in Spain – everybody knew the Bayer 04 people and knew what a great season the team had. This visibility and interest, particularly on an international level, are very good for the club and have led to Bayer 04 now being on a completely different level."

Wirtz: "i couldn't wait to come back to the team"

Florian Wirtz, who was reunited with the Werkself on Sunday, took time out between training sessions for an interview with bayer04.de to talk about his return to the team. The 21-year-old midfielder said the summer holiday was short but "long enough". The number 10 also talked about the first training sessions with his new teammates and his talents away from the pitch. HERE is the interview.

Team evening at 250-metre tall tower

In contrast to the previous days at this year's training camp, the evening meal on Wednesday for the Werkself was at a location away from the team hotel – and it was an exceptional one: The Bayer 04 group travelled 30 minutes by road to the 250-metre tall TK Elevator test tower in Rottweil where they enjoyed a sensational view of the sunset.

outlook: Training and media work

The Werkself return to the pitch for a training session on Thursday after breakfast and that is followed by a weights session in the athletics marquee (new information for visiting fans). Interviews and media sessions are planned for after lunch. On Friday there will be a final training session in Donaueschingen before Bayer 04 head off to northern France for a friendly against RC Lens on Saturday at 16.00 CEST.