The morning session started in small groups with games in restricted space and then football tennis – there were some impressive rallies over the net. Then set pieces were practiced on the main pitch with the focus on crosses from the wings.
The official part of the first session of day ended after just more than an hour – but most of the players did not leave the pitch. Some played another round of football tennis with the others shooting at the goal minded by Patrick Pentz and the U19 keeper Oleksandr Petrenko with Alejandro Grimaldo taking a few free kicks.
In the afternoon, Patrik Schick talked to the media again for the first time in a long while. The striker underwent a successful operation in June at the Berlin Charité hospital and since then has been in rehab. The 27-year-old striker explained looking back: "The pain was frustrating, it was tough."
The Czechia international player was confident given the current state of play. "I'm happy that we’ve found the problem and that it's been resolved. Now I need to be patient but I'm very confident. It's very good to be here with the team and in this atmosphere – the panorama and the good air –for working on my comeback. I should be able to do without the crutches next week."
Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO since 2018, today celebrates his 59th birthday. After congratulations on site from the Bayer 04 group and a range of phone calls and text messages he faced a number of media interviews in the afternoon. Carro spoke about the good cooperation with sporting managing director Simon Rolfes as well as head coach Xabi Alonso and stressed that "continuity is an important factor in success – in all positions."
The sun emerged from between the clouds over Saalfelden just in time for the afternoon session. The fitness coaches including Ismael Camenforte Lopez had set up a range of drills on the training pitch. After a warm-up routine with the ball it was down to an intense physical workout. The outcome: tired but happy Werkself players.
Lukas Hradecky and Co. rounded off the last evening in the Hotel Gut Brandlhof with an enjoyable evening meal together.
Friday morning will bring the final – again open – session this year's training camp. It starts at 10.30 CEST. The Bayer 04 group will travel on to northern Spain in the afternoon. The Werkself are set to play Champions League participants Real Sociedad in San Sebastian on Saturday 29 July with the kick off at 18.00 CEST. The charity match is being played in aid of the Fundación Columbus, which raises funds for researching rare diseases and making these diseases respond to treatment through gene therapy. For head coach Xabi Alonso the journey to San Sebastian as a return to his hometown.
Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
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Assistant coach Remzi Kahraman is leaving the Bayer 04 Women’s team with immediate effect to take up a new challenge abroad. The club has agreed to the 31-year-old’s request to leave, although his contract was originally due to run until 2027. A decision on his successor will be announced shortly.
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At the U19 European Championship in Wales, the Germany U19 national team lost their third and final group match 4-0 to Spain. Several regulars, including Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan to SV Elversberg), who had combined for four goals and assists in the two previous victories, did not feature,. Germany had already secured their place in the semi-finals with a game to spare.
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Two weeks into the preseason, the Bayer 04 Women have secured their first victory. Coach Roberto Pätzold’s team won their first friendly 2–0 against Bundesliga newcomers Mainz 05. In front of 160 spectators at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, the two summer signings, Maja Sternad (80’) and Justine Brandau (90’), scored for the Black and Reds.
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