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.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed a loan deal with Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach for Argentinian striker Alejo Sarco. The 20-year-old joins Mönchengladbach with immediate effect for the rest of the season.
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The Werkself are away to Greek double winners Olympiacos on matchday 7 in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. Tonight, 20 January (kick-off: 22:00 local time/21:00 CET), Bayer 04 will not only face a familiar face in Panagiotis Retsos, but also an experienced and successful team in their Greek top-flight opponents. The Olympiacos midfield and forward line in particular are peppered with seasoned veterans from top European clubs - but even they will first have to find solutions against the Werkself defence that has recently performed with aplomb in the UCL. The matchday news.
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The Werkself are away to Greek double winners Olympiacos on matchday 7 of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase. Ahead of the clash on Tuesday, 20 January (kick-off: 21:00 CET), head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about anticipation for the game. Werkself player Ibrahim Maza also gave an insight into dealing with the recent setbacks.
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After their first win on matchday 6 in the UCL league phase, Olympiacos are still in with a good chance of reaching the play-offs in the UEFA Champions League. The 2024 UEFA Conference League winners will be looking to go one better in their home match against Bayer 04 this Tuesday, 20 January (kick-off: 21:00 CET), but their stop scorer is unavailable. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Panagiotis, known as Panos, Retsos wore the Bayer 04 jersey for three years. Including his loan spells, he was under contract with the Werkself for a total of four and a half years. "It's a very special club for me," said the 27-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club Olympiacos in 2022, in an interview with bayer04.de. The former Leverkusen man is now captain and a first choice for the Werkself's next opponents in the UEFA Champions League. Ahead of the clash on Tuesday night, 20 January (kick-off: 21:00 CET), Retsos talks about his fond memories of his time in Leverkusen and the imminent reunion with some of his former team-mates. He also talks about who brought him to Leverkusen and why he likes getting older.
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