After Thursday's friendly against Basaksehir, the Werkself moved down a gear or two: Recovery was the order of the day as was a lighter training regime. Then day seven at the training camp was over: Heiko Herrlich led two sessions at the training ground on Lake Zell – they were the final two outdoor sessions of this year's summer training camp. In the morning there was another 90-minute intensive workout covering tactics and moves. The Herrlich team was accompanied by loud music coming from the 'Austria Swim Open' on Lake Zell, just a stone's throw from the training ground. In the early evening there was an hour-long session on passing and finishing. It ended with the Werkself pros again busy signing autographs and posing for selfies. Then it was time to say goodbye to the Alois Latini Stadium.
After the first session, Herrlich let his players enjoy themselves for 20 minutes: There were stretches and penalties taken in the main square; Thorsten Kirschbaum, Mitchell Weiser, Kevin Volland and Kai Havertz took the opportunity to shoot hoops. Paulinho, Wendell, Charles Aránguiz and Lucas Alario took part in a cow bell challenge under the watchful eyes of the coaches. Moving images and the winners can be seen on the Bayer 04 Facebook page.
For the past three days, Lukas Hradecky has slowly been getting used to catching balls again following the operation on his jaw. Albeit in a controlled manner. In order to avoid any risks, Lukas wore a lacrosse mask in the morning session. After that, goalkeeping coach David Thiel and assistant coach Xaver Zembrod put the new Werkself number one through his paces with reaction and catching drills. The Finn looked to be enjoying himself from afar. But it was all about safety first.
The gap between training sessions enabled the journalists present to carry out interviews again: Charles Aránguiz, Lucas Alario, Paulinho, Dominik Kohr, Rambo Özcan and Heiko Herrlich patiently fielded questions from the external press and club media.
The training camp in Austria ends tomorrow (Sunday). Reason enough to load the first vans after the second session with the equipment that isn't required tomorrow. Heiko Herrlich and his coaches will lead a warm-up session at the team hotel. And then – after lunch – the group will head off in the direction of Grödig.
The idyllic location of the Goldberg Stadium provides the stage for the sixth pre-season friendly for the Werkself at 15.30 CET. The opponents are the Saudi Arabian top-flight team Al-Wahda Mecca. Bayer 04 are again laying on a special service for supporters back home – from about 15.20 CET, the match will be broadcast live on bayer04.de and the German Facebook page. To get the players in the mood for the friendly and all other forthcoming challenges there was another Werkself film night: This time, Heiko Herrlich showed his players the 'Borg vs McEnroe' biographical film. It covers the unforgettable Wimbledon encounter between the two tennis legends in 1980, which is still considered to be one of the best matches of all time.
Looking behind the scenes – was a common theme during the training camp on social media under the hashtag #B04inAustria. In addition to a bizarre trick shot from Julian Brandt, it was the turn of Lucas Alario to take over Instagram. It's worth a look – both on Snapchat and Twitter.
To all Bayer 04 fans: The Fanwelt will be closed all day next Monday 30 June. This is due to preparations for the change of kit supplier from Castore to New Balance on Tuesday 1 July.
Show moreThe Norway U23 international Julie Jorde has completed the move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Brøndby IF. The twelve-time champions of Denmark have signed the midfielder on permanent terms after her loan move from the Bundesliga to Denmark in the winter.
Show moreIt is almost two years since Bayer 04 new signing Abdoulaye Faye first stepped foot into the BayArena as a player for the Swedish club BK Häcken in the opening match in the 2023/24 Europa League campaign. A day before his nineteenth birthday, the central defender did not play in the 4-0 win for the Werkself but it was "an incredible night" for him on 21 September 2023 as he explained in his first interview on bayer04.de. "I watched the players and saw the fans. I liked it." It was also the first European night early on in his career. He only joined the then champions of Sweden in the cold north of Europe from his home in Senegal a few weeks before that special moment. Bayer04.de profiles our new defender.
Show moreWelcome, Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old Senegalese central defender joins Leverkusen from top-flight Swedish club BK Häcken. In his first interview he talks about his move to Bayer 04 and his targets with the Werkself.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the Senegalese central defender Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old joins the Bundesliga side from Swedish top-flight club BK Häcken. Faye has penned a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2030.
Show more