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.
Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
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Assistant coach Remzi Kahraman is leaving the Bayer 04 Women’s team with immediate effect to take up a new challenge abroad. The club has agreed to the 31-year-old’s request to leave, although his contract was originally due to run until 2027. A decision on his successor will be announced shortly.
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At the U19 European Championship in Wales, the Germany U19 national team lost their third and final group match 4-0 to Spain. Several regulars, including Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan to SV Elversberg), who had combined for four goals and assists in the two previous victories, did not feature,. Germany had already secured their place in the semi-finals with a game to spare.
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Two weeks into the preseason, the Bayer 04 Women have secured their first victory. Coach Roberto Pätzold’s team won their first friendly 2–0 against Bundesliga newcomers Mainz 05. In front of 160 spectators at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, the two summer signings, Maja Sternad (80’) and Justine Brandau (90’), scored for the Black and Reds.
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