#B04inAustria – 2022 training camp news updates

+++ 22 July, 11.06 CEST: Werkself homeward bound +++

The Bayer 04 players and staff set off for Salzburg Airport after breakfast. The flight to Cologne/Bonn Airport takes off at 12.30 CEST.

+++ 21 July, 10.10 CEST: Warm-up session and friendly +++

After yesterday’s afternoon off, today is all about the final pre-season friendly. There is a warm-up session this morning ahead of the 18.00 CEST kick-off in the friendly against top-flight Italian club Udinese at the Alois Latini Stadium in Zell am See.

+++ 20 July, 13.13 CEST: Kies and Co. against the fans +++

Following the Werkself training session in the morning, several Bayer 04 staff members, including Simon Rolfes, Stefan Kießling and Hans-Peter Lehnhoff, played a team made up of travelling fans on a neighbouring pitch at the Alois Latini Stadium. After two 20-minute halves, Kies and Co. again ran out winners in the traditional kickabout with fun centre stage again this year.

+++ 20 July, 11.02 CEST: Bender visits training camp +++

A special guest: Lars Bender today paid his former employers a visit at the training camp. The 33-year-old honorary captain, who played in Black and Red for twelve years up to retiring from the professional game last summer, called in on the training session at the Alois Latini Stadium. Then it was off to the team hotel to catch up with a couple of old colleagues including former teammate and current sporting managing director Simon Rolfes. Great to see you again, Lars.

+++ 19 July, 13.57 CEST: Soccer school visit +++

A large group of Löwenclub kids also headed for Zell am See at the weekend. And they are also at a training camp. Of course, the kids watched this morning’s Werkself training session with the opportunity to learn a thing two from Patrik Schick and Co. - and they also took part in a group photo on the pitch at the Alois Latini Stadium.

+++ 19 July, 09.34 CEST: Back on the pitch +++

After yesterday’s recovery day at Zeller See, the Werkself again have the ball at their feet today - with the best of weather once again. There is a morning training session on the pitch at the Alois Latini Stadium and weight training is on the agenda this afternoon.

+++ 18 July, 14.11 CEST: Beach volleyball and stand-up paddleboarding +++

A different kind of recovery: The Werkself visited the Erlberg lido this morning. After a 20-minute bike ride in the direction of Zeller See, the Seoane team had the choice of playing volleyball, jumping into the lake or trying out stand-up paddleboarding. While the majority set, spiked and bumped on the sand, Iker Bravo and Co. were on the paddleboards.

+++ 18 July, 09.04 CEST: Recovery by the lake +++

Good morning from Zell am See-Kaprun. The Werkself get on their bikes en route to Zeller See. Relaxation and recovery are on the agenda for Lukas Hradecky and Co. Volleyball is an option and cooling off in the lake is obviously on the cards.

+++ 17 July, 18.49 CEST: First friendly completed +++

The first of two friendlies at the training camp in Zell am See ended goalless. Adam Hlozek made his debut for the Black and Reds against the Greek Cup winners Panathinaikos, loan returnee Joel Pohjanpalo had the two best chances of the game. HERE is the match report.

+++ 17 July, 12.33 CEST: Warm-up routine ahead of #B04PAO +++

The Werkself completed a warm-up session at the Alois Latini Stadium this morning in brilliant sunshine. Players training on their own, such as Florian Wirtz, worked on the pitch and in the gym.

+++ 16 July, 19.04 CEST: Brian on tour +++

The players, coaches and staff used the time-off in the afternoon in different ways. Brian the Lion took a trip out with colleagues on the mountain - that included a brief photo shoot.

+++ 16 July, 12.37 CEST: Training then time-off +++

Saturday in SalzburgerLand started for the Werkself as usual with an intensive training session at the Alois Latini Stadium. With lots of Bayer 04 fans looking on, Patrik Schick and Co. certainly put in a shift with games in restricted space. At the same time, the brilliant weather in Zell am See ensured everyone was in a good mood.

The players have the afternoon off ahead of Sunday with a warm-up session in the morning and the friendly against Panathinaikos at 17.00 CEST at the Alois Latini Stadium in Zell am See.

+++ 15 July, 18.22 CEST: Wirtz back on the pitch +++

The Werkself had a second training session in the afternoon. The Seoane team mainly worked on fitness drills at the Alois Latini Stadium. Good news: Florian Wirtz, who suffered a torn cruciate in the middle of March, was back on the training ground for the first time since his injury. Keep it up, Flo!

+++ 15 July, 13.12 CEST: First session completed +++

The first training session in Zell am See is over. The warm-up routine mentioned below was followed by small-sized games with without the ball before a comprehensive and intensive training drill in restricted space. Following the session, the Werkself players took time out as usual to meet requests from travelling supporters for selfies and autographs. Florian Wirtz gave his autograph to one special 'fan' – a family dog sporting a red Bayer 04 shirt.

After the session, Jonathan Tah, Kerem Demirbay and Co. changed sports when they shot a few hoops on the neighbouring basketball court. And Gerard Seoane also joined in for a few minutes.

+++ 15 July, 10.02 CEST: A serenade for Pauli +++

Immediately before the start of the first training session at the Alois Latini Stadium, the Werkself sang a short serenade to celebrate the 22nd birthday of forward Paulinho. The first routine for the squad under head coach Gerardo Seoane started in a transparent tent next to the pitch at the stadium with cycling and stretching exercises.

+++ 14 July, 21.30 CEST: Looking forward to tomorrow +++

The team hotel is gradually settling down. Time to give you some information on tomorrow’s agenda for the Werkself. Lukas Hradecky and Co. will have the first training session at the Alois Latini Stadium in Zell am See at 10.00 CEST (changes are possible at short notice). Please note that glass bottles are not permitted on the training ground and there are no toilets. Parking is available next to the stadium. Goodnight from Bayer 04.

+++ 14 July, 19.06 CEST: Arrival at team hotel +++

The Bayer 04 group arrived at the Hotel Tauern Spa in Zell am See-Kaprun after a one-hour coach journey. The players have found their rooms - and then the final official duty - the evening meal. A brief preview of tomorrow is to follow.

+++ 14 July, 17.25 CEST: Reception committee on the runway+++

The Werkself have landed at Salzburg Airport and are on their way to the Hotel Tauern Spa in Zell am See-Kaprun. The Leverkusen group was greeted by a delegation from the Bayer 04 partner Salzburger Land with CEO Leo Bauernberger presenting sporting managing director Simon Rolfes with a pennant marking ten years of the partnership.

+++ 14 July, 15.31 CEST: Ready for take-off +++

Players, coaches and staff members are on the plane. The first decks of UNO cards have been unpacked and it's off we go. The flight lasts around 70 minutes. See you later.

+++ 14 July, 14.50 CEST: Wirtz on board +++

The Black and Red travel group is now complete. The following players are on the flight: The goalkeepers Lukas Hradecky, Andrey Lunev, Niklas Lomb and Roy Steur from the U19 team plus Piero Hincapie, Jonathan Tah, Mitchel Bakker, Odilon Kossounou, Paulinho, Robert Andrich, Sardar Azmoun, Kerem Demirbay, Nadiem Amiri, Edmond Tapsoba, Patrik Schick, Joel Pohjanpalo, Moussa Diaby, Charly Aránguiz, Amine Adli, Daley Sinkgraven, Adam Hlozek, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Exequiel Palacios, Florian Wirtz, Iker Bravo, Zidan Sertdemir, Jeremie Frimpong, Ayman Azhil, Karim Bellarabi, Madi Monamay and Ayman Aourir.

Wirtz will continue his rehab programme following his torn cruciate on site with Carsten Rademacher from the Werkstatt at the BayArena.

+++ 14 July, 13.25 CEST: Meet up at the BayArena +++

The majority the Werkself have arrived at the BayArena. The Bayer 04 group will head off to the Cologne/Bonn Airport by bus in 20 minutes and from there it’s a two-hour flight to Salzburg. The team under head coach Gerardo Seoane will spend nine days preparing for next season with the Bundesliga plus the DFB Cup and the Champions League on the horizon.

Following last weekend's successful first friendly against third division MSV Duisburg (6-1), there will be two more friendlies at the Alois Latini Stadium in Zell am See: Sunday 17 July brings a match against the top Greek team Panathinaikos and that is followed four days later by a game against the Italian club Udinese from Serie A.