Bayer 04 Brazil Tour – Day 7 blog: On Sugar Loaf Mountain with Carro and Sergio – Hincapie trains

+++ 21 July, 18.57: Sergio looks back at the World Cup winners party on Sugar Loaf Mountain +++

After lunch at the team hotel, part of the Bayer 04 delegation led by CEO Fernando Carro headed off to the world-famous Sugar Loaf Mountain. After a cable car ride at giddy heights, Carro and Co. were able to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Rio de Janeiro skyline as the sun went down – from Copacabana Beach via the harbour to the Christ the Redeemer statue that guards the city.

Paulo Sergio was in the group many years after his last visit to Sugar Loaf Mountain. In a brief chat with a view over Rio the club legend talked to bayer04.de about the days after winning the 1994 World Cup in the USA and his return to Brazil: "We flew from the States to Recife and then onto Brasília to meet the president and finally to São Paulo. We celebrated for several days and then from there I had to go straight back to Leverkusen. Although I had a bit of a hangover it was obviously unforgettable."

+++ 21 July, 13.27: Tapsoba faces the media +++

After the training session, Edmond Tapsoba spoke to the media. The defender, clearly in a good mood, said about the preseason to date, his sixth at Bayer 04: "We are in Brazil, we have new players and a very good new coach who also likes to build-up play from the back."

On his role in the team and considering the departure of his good friend Jonathan Tah, the Burkina Faso international added: "It's now my time and duty to lead the way. I will give everything to be the leader in our defence. Jona told me he expects me to take the next step and take on responsibility."

+++ 21 July, 13.04: Hincapie in training session+++

The session in the mild temperature of 20 degrees is over, and the Werkself welcome back – at least in parts – a returnee to full training. After Jeanuel Belocian and Piero Hincapie worked individually with Daniel Jouvin over the past few days, the latter took part in a couple of sections of full training – and he received a warm welcome at the start: With the team before the start of the session, head coach Erik ten Hag said: "Piero, it's great to have you back with us again."

The training session began with an entertaining warm-up routine with little competitive games. That included a round of three touches with cones. At the end, Piero Hincapie rejoined Jeanuel Belocian to train separately. The goalkeepers Lukas Hradecky, Mark Flekken and Co. worked as usual with goalkeeping coach David Thiel on the neighbouring pitch. The rest of the squad followed up the warm-up rondo and a range of different moves – with quick passes, accurate crosses and targeted finishing – included an impressive headed goal scored by Jarell Quansah! Hincapie returned to the squad at the end of the training session.

+++ 21 July, 10.51: Time for work +++

The drive to the training ground on the team bus is done, the lads have arrived at the Ninho do Urubu. A nice story by the way: The walls along the access road from the front to back training pitches at the Flamengo training ground are plastered with the names of numerous members of the club. A nice gesture.

The lads get changed and then it's time for the session.

+++ 21 July, 08.32: A new day in Rio +++

Bom dia! Slowly the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour is coming to an end. Today, Monday, the penultimate day of the training camp in Rio de Janeiro, starts with another training session for the lads. This afternoon, a small delegation will visit the ‘Bola Pra Frente’ institute outside of Rio that was founded by former Leverkusen player (1989 to 1992) and 1994 World Cup winner Jorginho. Report to follow.

The players, coaches and staff are at breakfast and then it's straight off to the training ground.