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.
A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
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The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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