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 Bayer 04 women’s team secured a win in the friendly during the international break. Without a total of eight international players, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team defeated Bundesliga 2 side Borussia Mönchengladbach 3–1 at the Kurtekotten Training Centre, thanks to goals from Lobke Loonen (1’, penalty), Caroline Kehrer (41') and Valentina Mädl (66').
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without striker Christian Kofane in the coming weeks. The 20-year-old sustained a muscle injury to his left thigh on international duty with the Cameroon national team during the recent international break. This will prevent him from playing in the upcoming Werkself matches.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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Fans ask, Carolin Simon answers: As part of Bayer 04’s second Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Reddit, the Leverkusen captain took questions from the community. The full-back, who returned to the club this summer after ten years away, set aside an hour and a half for the Q&A session with fans, offering a very personal insight into, amongst other things, her daily life as a footballer and her role as captain, as well as her passion for Pokémon.
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