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.
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).
The highly successful and mutually appreciated partnership between Bayer 04 and head coach Xabi Alonso ends after two and a half years. The 43-year-old Spaniard has led the Werkself to three trophies. Above all, winning the first German league title in the club's history will always be associated with the name of Xabi Alonso. The former world class player, who won many hearts in Leverkusen as a person, now says farewell to Bayer 04. We look back at a fantastic time with the Basque who fulfilled the biggest dream of all Bayer 04 fans together with an outstanding team.
Show moreA few weeks ago Borussia Dortmund were marooned in mid-table mediocrity in the Bundesliga. Then the Black and Yellows started a run that overcame all comers. And suddenly a Champions League spot was again within reach. BVB will be looking to take the next step towards the big target at the BayArena on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Coach Niko Kovac has almost his full squad available. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreA cracker of a semi-final at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The Bayer 04 U19 team entertain Bayern Munich on Saturday, 10 May (kick-off: 11:00 CEST/stadium opens: 10:00 CEST). In front of a home crowd, the team led by head coach Sergi Runge, who welcomes back an attacking player, is looking to build on the battling performances from the previous knockout games and "perform at the right moment." Tickets are available from the Bayer 04 online shop and the game will also be broadcast live on Sky.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen will be the first Bundesliga club to open and operate a football academy in Brazil. The "Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo," led by Bayer 04 club legend Paulo Sérgio, will be established on the Bayer Brazil campus in São Paulo and accommodate up to 300 children and youth ages 5 to 15.
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