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

Anlage
Bayer 04 - 15.01.2026

New training camp: Bayer 04 heading to Blankenhain in Thuringia this summer

After Rio de Janeiro, it's off to Thuringia: This summer, Bayer 04 Leverkusen will prepare for the 2026/27 football season in Germany. While Brazil was the destination last year, the Werkself will now set up their training camp in Blankenhain, just outside Erfurt, from 1 to 7 August 2026.

Show more
crop_imago1071261563.jpg
Bayer 04 - 15.01.2026

AFCON blog: BEN SEGHIR AND MOROCCO IN THE FINAL AFTER PENALTY SHOOTOUT

Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...

Show more
Volksparkstadion
Bayer 04 - 14.01.2026

Bayer 04 to reimburse ticket prices to all travelling fans after Hamburg postponement

Due to the last-minute postponement of the Bundesliga match between Hamburg and the Werkself on Tuesday, 13 January, Bayer 04 will reimburse the ticket price to all 3,500 fans who had already travelled to Hamburg as a sign of appreciation. The tickets remain valid for the rescheduled match (date not yet set).

Show more
Tapsoba
Bayer 04 - 13.01.2026

Tapsoba sidelined by muscle injury

Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without centre-back Edmond Tapsoba in the coming weeks. The Burkina Faso international returned to the Werkself from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco with a muscle injury.

Show more
HSV
Bundesliga - 13.01.2026

Match in Hamburg postponed: HSV against Bayer 04 falls victim to weather conditions

The Bundesliga fixture between Hamburger SV and Bayer 04 Leverkusen has been postponed at short notice.

Show more