The flight departed in the direction of the Alps from Cologne Bonn Airport at 10.30 CEST. After a quiet 70-minute flight, the aeroplane landed safely at Salzburg Airport. On the tarmac, a delegation from Salzburger Land, a partner in the sponsors club at Bayer 04, met the Werkself and the support group. The team, coaching staff, support team and management lined up for a photo with the partner, Fernando Carro presented Leo Bauernberger (CEO at Salzburger Land) with a brand-new Bayer 04 home shirt. That was followed by the transfer to the accommodation in Kaprun.
A total of 24 players travelled to Austria. In goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and striker Lucas Alario, head coach Gerardo Seoane welcomed two Werkself players back to the squad for a first session run by the Swiss manager. Originally, Joel Pohjanpalo was set to return at the training camp after the European Championship just like Hradecky. However, the Finn tested positive for Covid-19. "Joel Pohjanpalo had a good European Championship. It's a pity he couldn't join the flight. At the same time, it could happen again in 18 months that are pandemic forces a player into self-isolation," said sporting director Simon Rolfes.
At exactly 16.32 CEST, head coach Seoane welcomed his players for the first time onto the pitch at the Alois Latini Stadium right next to Lake Zeller. The session started with a couple of relaxed circuits of the pitch and then the fitness coaches started a warm-up routine on the neighbouring pitch. After that, Karim Bellarabi had to end the session early due to muscular problems as did Demarai Gray shortly after that. Returnee Alario and youngster Zidan Sertdemir trained on their own while the rest of the Werkself squad had to complete passing drills as well as an intensive practice match.
In spite of being so far away from the Rhineland and the hometown of Leverkusen, the flood disaster in North Rhine-Westphalia and other parts of Germany was in the minds of the players of the black and red delegation in Kaprun. Jonathan Tah declared: "Unfortunately in Leverkusen and its surroundings everything is currently submerged in the true sense of the word. That's why a lot of people need support." You can find out how to help out HERE.
Bayer 04 are committed to helping out in different ways during this current exceptional situation, including immediate aid with a donation to the 'Leverkusen Hilft' campaign organised by the community foundation of the City of Leverkusen.
The day was rounded off with Moussa Diaby and Jonathan Tah enjoying exciting challenges in mini table tennis, mini basketball and a goal wall shoot-out – at the 'Kaprun Olympic Games'. Room 151 at the Tauern Spa Hotel was turned into a small arena for Bayer 04 TV productions. More will be available over the course of the week on our social media channels.
Bayer 04 Women have their second straight home game as they close out Matchday 5 in the Google Pixel Bundesliga against Carl Zeiss Jena on Monday. Kick-off at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion is at 6pm CEST, with head coach Roberto Pätzold expecting a defensive-minded opponent while his team look to continue their good form.
Show moreThe German double winners’ special-edition jersey to mark the club’s 120th anniversary is reminiscent of the first kit worn by players back in the 1907/08 season. The jersey, which the Werkself will wear for the Bundesliga home game against Holstein Kiel on Saturday, 5 October and which has been met with enthusiasm by the players, has numerous special features relating to the club's history, including an NFC chip that leads to exclusive content when scanned with a smartphone.
Show moreBundesliga debutants Holstein Kiel come to the BayArena on Saturday, 5 October (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST) looking to improve on their defensive record up against the Werkself after a tough start to the season. No team has conceded more goals so far than the promoted side. Learn more about our next opponents here…
Show moreVanessa Haim became Bayer 04 Women's sixth summer signing shortly before the start of the training camp in Poland. Around two months after her arrival in Leverkusen, the 27-year-old tells bayer04.de about her move under the Cross and her former job as a teacher.
Show moreThe second international break of the 2024/25 season is round the corner. After the Bundesliga clash against Holstein Kiel this Saturday, 5 October (kick-off 15:30 CEST), several Bayer 04 players will be playing in the next set of UEFA Nations League fixtures, among others. An overview.
Show more