#B04imSchwarzwald – popular visitor at training and a special hotel tour

A familiar face turned up at the training ground for the morning session under clear blue skies: Former Werkself player Ömer Toprak, who played for Leverkusen from 2011 to 2017. "I don't live far from here. Sven Elsinger (physiotherapist, ed.) called me up and asked me to drop by – of course, I didn't need to think about it. Afterwards I will be at the 120-year anniversary party at SC Freiburg where I played in the youth team before moving to Bayer 04. So it's a day with lots of reunions and that's really great," said the 35 year-old who last season played in the Turkish top-flight for Antalyaspor.

Toprak: "fingers crossed for Bayer 04 and I'll obviously keep up-to-date!"

A brief meeting with former teammates Niklas Lomb and Jonathan Tah plus the former captain and now sporting managing director Simon Rolfes ensured beaming smiles all round: "Simon was a strategist back then so his outstanding work in recent years does not surprise me at all. What was achieved last year was exceptional," said Toprak.

And although the defender also played for Werder Bremen he only favoured one club on 14 April 2024 in the crucial home game for Bayer 04 against the Green and Whites: "We don't need to talk about it. I wanted Bayer 04 to finally get their reward and become champions. They had a sensational season and often smothered the opponents with their dominance. They are outstanding and completely deserved to be champions." Toprak is also looking forward to the coming campaign for Leverkusen: "It will be exciting. The target for all opponents will obviously be what nobody succeeded in doing in the Bundesliga last season – beating Leverkusen. Fingers crossed for Bayer 04 and I'll keep up-to-date."

Toprak and the many fans again present in the morning saw extensive passing drills on the pitch after the warm-up in the athletics marquee. After 30 minutes, as announced, it moved on to a game behind closed doors. As training ended and the thermometer showed 30 degrees, travelling fans were able to get autographs and selfies with Lukas Hradecky, Piero Hincapie, Xabi Alonso and Co.

press conference with Xhaka - shorter second session on the pitch in  30 degrees plus

While the majority the Werkself squad rested after lunch, Granit Xhaka fielded questions from the media at a press conference in the team hotel. The Swiss stalwart said: "The two or three weeks holiday have done us good but it was also long enough for me. (He laughed) I feel fit. I've also got a very good impression of the of the other lads up to now, the new players add a lot of quality."

The session in the afternoon was slightly less intensive for Xhaka and Co. compared with the training in the morning. As usual it started in the athletics marquee with one or two players shooting hoops. Then it was back onto the pitch in front of a large number of spectators with temperatures over 30 degrees: first a few rondos then practising set pieces – the working day for the Werkself then ended on the pitch.

To be in shape for Wednesday, the majority of players took ice baths in barrels in front of the team hotel

Werkself TV: Hotel tour with Robert Andrich

Anyone wanting to take a look inside the Werkself team hotel in Donaueschingen can do so on Werkself TV. Robert Andrich guides fans through the rooms and provides exclusive insights!

outlook: Training in morning followed by team challenge and team evening

The Werkself have a morning session on Wednesday starting at 10.30 CEST and it is an open session. That will be followed by a short workout in the athletics tent and lunch before the team engage in a challenge. The fourth day at the training camp in Donaueschingen will be rounded off with a team evening.