No usual warm-up routine
There was plenty to do in the morning. Instead of the usual warm-up routine, the coaching staff carried on where they left off the day before: With a tough training session. The Werkself players went through a range of moves at high tempo for over 75 minutes. As in the days before, the ambition of every player was evident in terms of going to the limit and helping to encourage their team-mates.
Group photo on the pitch
After the session there was the chance for the numerous Werkself fans to have their picture taken in a group photo. That was a thank you from Bayer 04 for their loyalty. Some 50 fans happily accepted the offer of a photo with their heroes. The players then took time out to sign autographs before returning to the team hotel. The time between lunch and departure for the ground was used for an afternoon sleep or relaxation.
The running option
After the training session, Heiko Herrlich and assistant coach Lars Kornetka thought of running rather than going on the coach. While other members of the Bayer 04 group took the 15-minute journey back to the team HQ on the bus, Herrlich and Kornetka opted to run back.
Friendly against Antalyaspor
In the evening the Herrlich team took on Turkish first division side Antalyaspor in a friendly with Cameroon international and former Barca star Samuel Eto'o in their squad. In spite of the exertions of recent days, the Werkself produced an impressive performance but were unable to crown that with a win. The match ended 1-1. During half-time, Karim Bellarabi called in to see Bayer 04 TV. The striker is currently suffering with muscle problems and is training on his own. In a Facebook live interview he spoke to commentator Niko Hartmann about his current state of fitness.
Christian Nerlinger pays a visit
The Werkself received another visit from a VIP in the football business on the fourth day: Former pro Christian Nerlinger, who now works as an agent for Jonathan Tah, called into the Bayer 04 team hotel where he took time for conversations with friends and acquaintances. And, of course, with his charge Jonathan Tah.
Once again, well over 100 Werkself fans were delighted to receive an invitation from the club’s record appearance-maker, Rüdiger Vollborn, to the sold-out Schwadbud at the BayArena. This time, the supporters listened as the club historian provided fascinating, exclusive insights into the period from Bayer 04 being founded in 1904 to the club’s promotion to the Bundesliga in 1979. A journey through time is also planned for the upcoming ‘Rudi lädt ein’ event in early November – this time focusing on the years of the Nazi regime.
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Happy children’s faces at the SSV Lützenkirchen training ground: For the 25th time, the Birkenberg soccer school – organised by SportBund Leverkusen – offered participating youngsters an exciting holiday activity. Meeting a Bayer 04 player has now become a cherished tradition. This time, Ibrahim Maza visited the 150 children and spoke to them about his World Cup experiences, amongst other things. “It’s always lovely to see the children’s enthusiasm for football,” said the 20-year-old, after bringing a sparkle to many eyes with selfies and autographs.
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One day after the successful DFB Pokal first round tie at SV Wehen Wiesbaden (4–0), the mood was understandably really good: Over 400 Bayer 04 supporters gathered on Sunday, 23 August, for the annual fan club meet-up at the BayArena and got in the mood for the new season through direct and informal discussions with Bayer 04 management, head coach Carles Martínez and Werkself players.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-0 win at RB Leipzig on the 1st matchday of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga 2026/27.
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