The goalkeepers including Lukas Hradecky flew, jumped and caught what they could. The outfield players marched from end to end in the practice match. It was an exhausting session under head coach Xabi Alonso and his fellow coaches that lasted for over 90 minutes. Good news: Robert Andrich joined his teammates for about an hour – and he was satisfied at the end of the session.
Marcus Sorg, assistant to Germany coach Hansi Flick, and long-standing Bundesliga coach Frank Kramer (most recently at Schalke 04) dropped into the training session. The experienced coaching duo obviously met up with sporting managing director Simon Rolfes and the Germany internationals Jonas Hofmann and Florian Wirtz.
After the training session, the Werkself players gathered on the pitch for a photo with children from the Bayer 04 Soccer School who this week had a five-day training camp in neighbouring Zell am See. This year there were 18 children from Leverkusen and 12 participants joining from family holidays. They have two training sessions a day as well as numerous activities in their time off. The photo with the Bayer 04 players was one of the highlights this year.
Around 100 other fans joined in having previously watch a training session. Of course, they also took the opportunity to take selfies and get autographs. Jonathan Tah and Co. took plenty of time out for that before returning to the team hotel for lunch.
Head coach Xabi Alonso remained on the training ground to answer questions from the media. The Spaniard commented on the summer new signings: "We have added strength to the squad with young players like Arthur, Gustavo Puerta and Victor Boniface but also with lads like Granit Xhaka, Jonas Hofmann and Alejandro Grimaldo. It was very important for us to build a good mentality for next season. These experienced lads are so mature that they have a direct impact on the team and our performance levels."
In response to a question about Lukas Hradecky retaining the captain's armband for the new campaign, the Spaniard gave a clear answer: "Yes, he is still the captain. Lukas has lots of experience and is a good influence on the team. We need him but we also need other captains on the pitch without armbands."
The early afternoon was dominated by the media. Press and TV journalists from Germany, Europe, the USA and Latin America came to put their questions. A focus – as in every summer – the new signings and management including sporting managing director Simon Rolfes.
Jonas Hofmann talked about the reasons for his move to Leverkusen: "One important argument was obviously playing in Europe which fulfilled my needs particularly as an international player. But the talks with Simon Rolfes and Xabi Alonso were incredibly good, very authentic," explained the 31-year-old. "In addition, there was the enormous potential of the team and the personal attraction of trying something new again after many years."
The managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes plus Meinolf Sprink (fan and community director) welcomed Bayer 04 fans to the hotel terrace in the afternoon. Carro said to the 70 or so supporters: "We’re happy that you've come in numbers." The Spaniard commented on the new location: "It's a huge advantage to be able to walk to the training ground. We really feel at home here."
Rolfes talked about the squad: "We already have the core of the team but obviously things may still happen." He went on to talk about the time in Salzburger Land: "Everyone has got stuck in at each and every session. It's great to watch the team." Patrik Schick dropped in to see the fans on the hotel terrace and he gave them a short update on his rehab.
From the training ground to the racing circuit: In the afternoon, the Werkself players went to a go-kart track in the immediate vicinity of the team hotel surrounded by steep cliffs for a team event. After a short introduction the players went and changed and then into the carts at the racetrack equipped with protective gear and helmets.
Patrick Pentz and his teammates again and again skidded on the track with its tight bends and ups and downs due to rain leaving the watching skipper Lukas Hradecky on the sidelines to share his view of proceedings: "I believe the lads get on better with a wet pitch than a wet go-kart track." After a number of laps and races the high tempo afternoon event came to an end with Alejandro Grimaldo the deserved winner.
The Spanish left-back received his trophy at the barbecue in the evening to applause from his teammates.
The Werkself will be completely focused on training tomorrow (Thursday). Xabi Alonso is holding two sessions – an open one on the training ground from 10.30 CEST and a session in the gym in the afternoon. Fernando Carro, CEO, and Patrick Schick will face the media. The key statements from the duo will then be reported on the club media channels as usual.
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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To mark Exequiel Palacios’s departure, we’ve put together a compilation of the midfielder’s finest and most important goals from his six-and-a-half years at the club.
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