That was on the agenda after the strenuous training sessions of the past week and Lehnhoff joined in briefly. For many older fans it was a nice reminder of the 90s when Lehnhoff was one of the most feared wingers in the Bundesliga.
Hard work in the morning
In addition to the football tennis tournament the current Werkself generation had a relaxed athletic session under assistant coach Oliver Bartlett. The recovery session clearly did the players good with something for everyone in the recent sessions including rugby training on Monday. “It’s good to have a day where it’s not so hectic,” admitted Kevin Kampl. Roger Schmidt and his fellow coaches gave the players the afternoon off on day six in Austria.
All change in the afternoon
After lunch, a group went paddling in Lake Zell right next to the training ground and another played frisbee golf. Several players like Kampl just wanted to explore and enjoy the beautiful landscape while Ömer Toprak joined new signing Rambo Öczan to the golf course near to the team hotel Tauern Spa in Zell am See-Kaprun. Öczan filmed a rather less serious attempt by his team-mate to hit the ball and posted it on Instagram much to the amusement of the former Leverkusen players and talented amateur golfers Sebastian Boenisch and Gonzalo Castro. Toprak took it in good part and responded with laughing emojis.
Schade welcomes fans
At the same time Michael Schade entertained the travelling Werkself fans at the team hotel. The Bayer 04 CEO invited some 50 supporters to coffee, cake and cold drinks and they listened intently to the short welcome address from the 63-year-old. Schade provided a review of last term’s successful campaign and also looked forward: “We are all kean to start the new season and that’s not far off. I would be happy to have a busy fixture list from now to May as we are once again focussing on the cup competitions: We want to get to Berlin again and reach the last sixteen in the Champions League once more.” The fans were happy to hear those words and they also spoke to the currently injured Stefan Kießling (hip) afterwards. Bayer 04 then invited all sponsors and members of the media to the traditional evening meal.
Four players leave
Four players left the training camp early on Tuesday evening: The 17-year-olds Atakan Akkaynak, Kai Havertz, Sam Schreck and keeper Tomasz Kucz left three days earlier than their senior team-mates as planned as they need to return to Leverkusen to work with the new U19 squad. Everybody agreed the four youngsters made a good impression in Austria.
Two coaches visit
The Werkself were cheered on by the kids attending the Bayer 04 soccer school on Tuesday. The football camp has been held in Zell am See every year and always attracts loads of children from the surrounding area. It is no surprise they are keen to get the autographs of Chicharito and Co. and particularly Julian Baumgartlinger, Kevin Kampl and André Ramalho who are well known and popular in SalzburgerLand. The training sessions was also observed by two renowned German coaches from the stand: Ralf Loose (Dynamo Dresden and Preußen Münster) plus Frank Kramer (Fortuna Düsseldorf, Greuther Fürth and TSG Hoffenheim)i.
#B04inAustria – Everything at the click of a button
Brian the Lion was out and about on Tuesday. The mascot used the afternoon off to join Stefan Kießling and Rudi Völler in the Bayer 04 cable car to explore the Areitalm. Panoramic photos can be seen using the hashtag #B04inAustria on Twitter. You can also discover a wealth of other information there on the #Werkself and #Bayer04. Other stories, photos and videos can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. Just log on.
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
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