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.
New signing Miguel Gutiérrez arrives in Leverkusen having won the Champions League, the Spanish league title and an Olympic gold medal. However, the 25-year-old Spaniard, signed from Napoli, is looking to the future – he wants to write the next chapter of success with the Werkself. Bayer04.de takes a closer look at the skilful, attack-minded left-back, who will wear the number 3 jersey.
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The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. Day three (Tuesday 4 August) begins with a thorough open session on the pitch. After lunch, some players have media engagements at the team hotel, and then the team come together for a barbecue in the evening.
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Nine matches against teams from nine countries, two penalty shoot-outs won, and encounters that went far beyond football: As with last year, the Inklusionswerkself enjoyed an extraordinary week at the Genuine Cup 2026 in Houston, USA, and made memories that will last a lifetime. This year, the Leverkusen side took part as Germany’s official representatives and, accordingly, took to the pitch in Germany kit. Together with 53 teams from 53 nations, the Black and Reds once again sent a powerful message of inclusion and participation – and also impressed on the pitch by winning their group.
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The Werkself training camp in the Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog, you’ll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme for day two (Monday, 3 August) centres on two training sessions – one in the morning (open to the public) and one in the early evening (behind closed doors) – at the nearby training grounds. In the afternoon, fans can look forward to a big fan meet-up with club legend Paulo Sergio at Schloss Blankenhain.
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