Bayer 04 Brazil Tour – Day 2 blog: Training, media events and Quansah and Kofane arrive

+++ 16 July, 19.47: Media events round off day 2 +++

There were media activities in the evening back at the hotel. At a round table discussion with German media representatives, goalkeeper Mark Flekken recalled: “It was a pretty quick but definitely not easy decision to move on from the Premier League and London. But it’s a great step if you can play at the top of the Bundesliga and in the Champions League.” The Dutchman added about his approach: “I like to lead the way not just through being loud but also by performances.”

In addition to the media activities the players ate together in the evening before going to their rooms. Day 2 of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour is over. And here we want to wish you goodnight and we look forward to tomorrow. There’s a busy programme ahead… See you then!

+++ 16 July, 19.12: Youth players take a walk on the beach +++

“Brazil, you beauty…” - or similar may well have been in the minds of the travelling youth players when they went for a short walk on the beach after returning to the team hotel. And then there was also the perfect sunset atmosphere. What more could you ask for...

+++ 16 July, 18.09: Atmospheric meet & greet with Paulo Sergio +++

With German Currywurst and a view of the impressive mountain backdrop to Rio de Janeiro, 30 Bayer 04 fans from Brazil and Germany spent the afternoon with club legend Paulo Sergio at the Casa do Alemão, a small, cosy restaurant in the city centre. The 1994 World Cup winner revealed an exciting anecdote from his time playing in Germany

to the inquisitive fans. Read about that and more in the article.

TO THE ARTICLE

+++ 16 July, 16.19: Weight training in the afternoon +++

With loud music and a good mood: The lads have just finished their second session of the day. In the gym at the Ninho do Urubu, the squad worked on different equipment and did pullups and worked with weights as well as doing a range of balance and agility exercises. Afterwards, Adli and Arthur had a spontaneous game of Teqball. It went from end-to-end on the table with plenty of fun and also ambition evident.

The training programme for the day is over. After a long shower it’s straight off to the team hotel. The working day is not yet over for some of the players as there a couple of media activities on the agenda this evening. This will, of course, also be reported on later!

+++ 16 July, 14:17: Quansah and Kofane are here +++

Hi Jarell, hi Christian! While the team were on their lunchbreak our two new signings arrived in Rio to join the squad on tour. The duo will start training tomorrow (Thursday). Detailed impressions of their arrival and their first sessions with new teammates to follow.

But first of all, lads. And above all: Welcome to Brazil.

+++ 16 July, 13:12: Adli and Arthur face the media +++

After the training session, Amine Adli and Arthur fielded questions from national and international media representatives. Adli said: “I think it’s really great here, Brazil was the country of football for me as a child. I’m happy to be here and I’m looking forward to the friendly on Friday (against the Flamengo U20, ed.) I’m looking forward to seeing the country, getting to know the people and above all training. We will work hard to prepare for the new season.”

Arthur said: “It means a lot to me to start the preseason here in Brazil. It’s my home country and my family is here in Rio too. That makes me very happy. We want to do our best for a good season!” Arthur’s family gave him a warm welcome before the session and then watched him training. After the media interviews the right-back spent some time talking to his family before he joined his teammates for the lunch break.

+++ 16 July, 12:48: Practice match at end of first session +++

The morning training session is over. And the lads gave their all and pushed themselves hard. The open session started with the usual warm-up routine. Divided into small groups there were short games of football tennis plus keepie-uppies and accuracy drills. The lads also showed full commitment in the rondo that followed.

The session ended with an 11-a-side game. There was high intensity and lots of instructions from the coaching staff led by head coach Erik ten Hag. The game ended after 20 minutes and the strenuous morning session was over.

+++ 16 July, 10.51: Back to the Ninho do Urubu +++

23 degrees and the Brazilian winter sun is burning brightly. The team arrived at the Ninho do Urubu training ground, got changed and ran though a sprinkler system to cool down - understandable!

A CR Flamengo youth team is training on a neighbouring pitch and our lads will also start their training session shortly. Today’s morning training is an open session. A few fans will watch the Werkself and take a closer look at the drills.

+++ 16 July, 08.04: Day two begins +++

Good morning from Rio! The second day of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour is ready to go. The lads have now processed the first impressions of the beach, the sun and the Brazilian lifestyle and yesterday they completed the first training session in the land of the five-time World Cup winners. There are two more training sessions today.

The first session starts at 11:00 in the morning and the second at 15:00 in the afternoon. There will be a meet & greet for fans with club legend Paulo Sergio early in the afternoon. But everything in order. The lads are now having breakfast and we will report from the training ground again shortly.