After a strenuous and intensive week of training, the pros started work early on the final day in Austria. After breakfast, there was a pre-match routine at the team hotel ahead of the game against Mecca. After that, it is was a case of enjoying the remaining free time, packing bags and a last lunch at the team hotel Tauern Spa and then onto the bus, that took the Werkself to Grödig.
Before the Bayer 04 group could start the journey home, there was one final challenge. In a repeat of last year, the Herrlich team played their sixth friendly of the pre-season in Grödig near Salzburg in the afternoon. And it was against one of the oldest clubs in Saudi Arabia: Al-Wahda Mecca. With Fernando Carro, Rudi Völler, sporting director Jonas Boldt and former Bayer 04 player Ramalho looking on, the Werkself produced a battling performance in spite of the rigours of recent days and high temperatures once again; they earned a close but deserved 1-0 victory.
Straight after showering and a light evening meal in the dressing room at the Goldberg Stadium, it was onto the team bus for the short trip to Salzburg Airport. The plane took off at 19.30 CET on course for Cologne/Bonn. After landing at 20.40 CET it was time for the players, coaches and staff to be reunited with their families. And that was the end of the final chapter of the 2018 training camp in Austria. Monday is a day off and Tuesday will see the returning World Cup runner-up Tin Jedvaj and new signing Paulinho complete performance test – Heiko Herrlich's team will return to the training ground at the BayArena on Wednesday (8 August) .
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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