+++ 19 July, 13.32: Erik ten Hag meets Filipe Luís +++
After training, Erik ten Hag, Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes caught up with Flamengo coach and former defender Filipe Luís. His team play city rivals Fluminense at the Maracana tomorrow evening, which the Werkself will go and watch.
+++ 19 July, 13.03: Beach then pitch for Hincapie and Belocian +++
Piero Hincapie and Jeanuel Belocian were working on their own on a nearby pitch with fitness coach Daniel Jouvin as they continue their recoveries. The previous day had seen the pair working out on the beach outside the team hotel, including a cooling off in the sea, prior to the friendly match.
+++ 19 July, 12.56: Action on the pitch with Quansah, Kofane and Maza +++
The team’s latest intense training session is now over. With the sun beaming down over Rio, they started off with a warm-up and some rondos before taking to small pitches, with Ibrahim Maza involved again. Fellow new signings Jarell Quansah and Christian Kofane also joined with the team for the first time after doing individual work a couple of days ago. The session finished with a gruelling set of endurance runs.
+++ 19 July, 10.47: 30-year reunion +++
Before turning to training, we had some emotional scenes this morning as old teammates met again at the hotel for the first time in some 30 years. You can read more about that HERE.
+++ 19 July, 09.23 Uhr: Training and Wonder of the World +++
Bom dia from Brazil! There’s no rest for the Werkself this Saturday as they gear up for their morning training session in a couple of hours. After lunch and a rest back at the hotel, the team will then head off for a look at Christ the Redeemer, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, to take in the sunset over Rio de Janeiro. More on that later…
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
Show more
The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
Show more
A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
Show more
With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
Show more
