Back
6.01.2019Bayer 04

Bailey and Aránguiz return – Bellarabi sidelined

Head coach Peter Bosz was in buoyant mood in spite of persistent rain and temperatures around four degrees. The 55-year-old is clearly happy to be training a team again. His assessment after the third training session on Sunday: "The lads are working hard. But that's important as we don't have much time."
20190105_training_CK6P0876.jpg

It does help that Bosz had all his players available again with the exception of long-term injuries Joel Pohjanpalo (rehab training after ankle injury) and Panos Retsos (rehab after muscle tendon injury to thigh) after Charles Aránguiz and Leon Bailey missed the first training session on Friday. The duo rejoined their team-mates on the training ground for the Sunday morning session.

While the 28-year-old Chilean only had his first session under the new head coach on Sunday due to private reasons, Bailey did train with the squad on Saturday after the Jamaican sat out the full training session on Friday. According to Bosz, the 21-year-old was feeling the effects of a long flight and suffering somewhat from the air conditioning. Therefore the decision was to take the precaution of Bailey returning to full training a day later.

Focus on fitness

The main focus for Bosz in the first few days is the improvement of fitness levels. "We've been working on  stamina – albeit with the ball," said the Dutchman on Sunday. Using the ball is always important for him. Of equal significance for the 55 year-old: when the session on the training ground begins at 10.30 CET and it starts with 'football training': positional play, passing drills, tactical work etc. The warm-up routine is down to the players themselves – but obviously with the help of the fitness coaches. Either in the facilities at the BayArena or on the training ground.

One player completed his Sunday training in the gym. Karim Bellarabi had a slight problem with his back and had to work on his own. The 28 year-old should rejoin the rest of the Werkself squad on the training ground on Monday  (14.30 CET).

Related News

Mobilitätsdienstleister wupsi
Business - 06.01.2026

Bayer 04 and transport provider wupsi expand long-standing partnership

The long-standing successful collaboration between Bayer 04 and the transport service provider wupsi GmbH has been expanded: From January 2026, 100 wupsi bikes with Bayer 04 branding will be available for hire throughout the city of Leverkusen. They will complement the many existing offers and services that provide key support, especially for fans travelling to and from home matches at the BayArena.

Show more
Hjlumand und Fans
Bayer 04 - 04.01.2026

Successful start to 2026 training – Hjulmand: 'Nice to see all the fans again'

The Werkself are back! Following the two-week winter break, head coach Kasper Hjulmand's team began the new year with an open session on Sunday. After Robert Andrich and his teammates arrived in Leverkusen yesterday for the official check-in, they got back down to business a day later in front of around 1,200 fans at the Ulrich Haberland Stadion. The report from the Werkself's first session of 2026.

Show more
Kalendar_01_Januar_1x1_DE.jpg
Bayer 04 - 03.01.2026

Bayer 04’s new year schedule: Open training session on 4 January

After a two-week winter break, the Werkself resume training on Sunday, 4 January. The first session in 2026 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium starts at 11:00 and is open to fans. Bayer 04 look forward to welcoming supporters at the start of 2026. The Werkself schedule for the new year.

Show more
Martin Terrier Tor
Bayer 04 - 02.01.2026

December Goal of the Month: Vote now for Martin Terrier!

After being nominated for the Bundesliga Goal of the Year 2025, Martin Terrier's wonderful strike for the opener against FC Köln is now also up for selection for the ARD Sportschau Goal of the Month award for December 2025. Bayer 04 fans have until 19:00 CET on 10 January to vote for the French forward.

Show more