As with every other morning at the training camp, the day began for the Werkself with CK tests. Before breakfast, Dr. Malte Krüger was waiting in the medical room in the players’ section in the Hotel Tauern Spa for the players. The head sports scientist at Bayer 04 takes a blood sample from the ear lobe or the finger pad – according to the the individual player’s choice – and then it is analysed. CK stands for creatine kinase: “It’s an important parameter for us. If the value is raised then that indicates a change to the muscular system,” explained Dr. Krüger. “This marker points to the intensity of the muscular load or muscular stress.”
The whole procedure primarily serves the well-being of the player. This should prevent injury and control excessive workloads. Dr. Krüger added: “We train very hard, particularly during the pre-season. That means the stress level for the muscles is immense.” The data from the CK tests plus the information from the physiotherapists on the general well-being of the players ends up with the coaching staff led by Gerardo Seoane. Then the decision is made about whether it is sensible for the players involved to have individual workload controls.
The ninth and final session at this year’s training camp in Zell am See ended on Thursday morning. In addition to match practice, the focus was on set pieces. This time Florian Wirtz was absent. The 18-year-old offensive player was missing due to a slight cold.
There was another birthday on Thursday. After Marcel Daum, analysis assistant coach, and Wendell, it was the turn of Christian Beckers to celebrate his birthday in Salzburger Land. The Werkself kit man, who looks after the team kit and also drives the team bus from time to time, is now 36. Many happy returns!
Jonathan Tah and Co. were in recovery mode and they watched the opening match between the German and Brazilian Olympic teams on a TV screen in the hotel lobby. In Yokohama, the Germany team including Nadiem Amiri in the starting eleven were already 3-0 down at half-time.
After the restart, the team under coach Stefan Kuntz were hopeful when Amiri scored to make it 3-1 (57’). The following dismissal of Germany captain Maximilian Arnold for a second yellow card offence put paid to those hopes. Paulinho, the second Olympian in the Werkself, came off the bench for the Selecao with fifteen minutes to go – and after Germany made it 3-2 he was involved in the goal for the final score of 4-2 for the South American team (90+5’).
While lots of teammates took their seats in front of TV screens, there were media interviews for a Black and Red quartet. Florian Wirtz, new signing Mitchel Bakker and head coach Gerardo Seoane spoke at a press conference with the travelling journalists as well as an exclusive with Sky. Goalkeeper Andrey Lunev, who moved to Leverkusen in the summer like Bakker, also fielded questions from the media representatives. Youngster Wirtz and Seoane were also guests on Bayer 04 TV, and Lukas Hradecky gave an exclusive interview to Spox.
In Julian Baumgartlinger, a Werkself player was away from the team hotel in the afternoon. The stalwart visited the 900-year-old castle in Kaprun. That was the venue for a photo shoot and a TV film for the Werkself partner, the tourism region of Salzburger Land. Baumi cut a fine figure at the photo shoot with keepy uppies. No wonder as the stay in Zell am See/Kaprun is like a home game for the midfielder. The Austria captain was born in Salzburg.
Kick it like Schick! – Florian Wirtz, Moussa Diaby and Mitchel Bakker have faced that challenge this week. On the turf at the Alois Latini Stadium in Zell am See, the trio tried to reenact the breathtaking Euro 2020 strike by Patrik Schick to make it 2-0 against Scotland. The Czech Republic player with the Werkself rounded off the scoring with a goal from the halfway line. Who won the challenge? HERE is the video.
SAB-P GmbH is to become Bayer 04 Leverkusen's first official inclusion partner. The company, which has previously been involved in the club's Business Club, is underlining its social commitment to inclusion with an agreement that runs until 31 May 2027. Among other things, it will be the shirt sponsor of the Inclusion Team from the 2026/27 season onwards.
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Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 3-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 20 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...
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Kasper Hjulmand has led the Werkself back to winning ways and is back in the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League with Bayer 04 after the 3-0 win against Villarreal on Wednesday evening. In an interview with the Werkself magazine at the BayArena in the team meeting room, directly opposite the dressing room, he provided some special insights for the current issue, which was published in January. A conversation with the 53-year-old coach about values, attitudes and personal experiences as well as interests outside of football.
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The thrilling 3-1 win for Bayer 04 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Hinrunde is a fond memory for Alejandro Grimaldo, with his brace from free kicks, and coach Kasper Hjulmand, who was in the dugout under the Cross for the first time. Now comes the return fixture in the metropolis on the River Main and after going out of the DFB Pokal and the Champions League, the full focus at Eintracht, currently managed by two interim coaches, is now on the Bundesliga. For their part, the Werkself will do everything in their power to continue the longest winning run against a Bundesliga club. The matchday news.
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