…his personal break ahead of training restarting: I found it difficult to switch off. On the one hand, the disappointment with the outcome of the cup final lasted a bit longer. On the other hand, I obviously planned the start of training with Simon Rolfes (sporting director, ed.) and my coaching staff, and I watched top international football nearly every night.
…the results of the coronavirus testing on Wednesday and Thursday: Everybody tested negative in both sets of tests.
…the forthcoming Europa League tournament in North-Rhine Westphalia: It’s interesting, very interesting. We’re in a good position in the Round of 16 tie against Glasgow (Rangers) - (3-1 win in the first leg, ed.) - but we’ve still got the second leg to play. It is possible to win a title in just four games in two weeks. We, the coaches,are prepared and now we’ll get the team ready. But it doesn’t make sense to look further than the game against Glasgow Rangers.
…the circumstances around preparing for the Europa League tournament: It was important for the players to get the two weeks off to clear their minds and switch off – even though that is difficult in such a short space of time. We’re facing a completely different run-in than for the Bundesliga restart in May. The break was short and we’ve been able to gather important experience in relation to the new circumstances since the restart.
…content of the preparations: The basic fitness is there and that hasn’t changed in the two weeks. Therefore, we don’t need such a long and intense period of preparation as we would in the summer. We’ll see where the players are up to in the training sessions.
…the current situation re the squad: The players are the same for the Europa League as with the Bundesliga and the DFB Cup. We can’t use loan players or summer signings. On the new season: I’m a coach who likes to work with a small squad. Quality ahead of quantity. But it doesn’t make any sense to me to deal with this issue before the Europa League. We want to be in this tournament to the end. Then we’ll work hard on planning.
…the future of Kai Havertz: Kai is with us for the start of training and I expect him to be available for the Europa League.
…the start of the Bundesliga shortly after the Europa League tournament: Nobody can know whether this short break will be an advantage or disadvantage. This situation has never happened before and it’s new to everybody. We’re trying to deal with the circumstances as best we can and see that we benefit from it. We won’t have long to prepare and the players are coming off the back of a heavy workload. It’s physically impossible to give your all for 90 minutes in so many games in such a short space of time. At some point, the body says stop. That’s what I fear as a coach. Therefore, it’s about planning and controlling the workload as best as you.
…his impression of football in other European leagues: I like the football more than I thought I would. Normally, the spectators provide a special atmosphere. I thought the games played behind closed would turn into friendlies. But that’s not the case. I like the level. I’ve watched some big and interesting games over the past few weeks.
Calling all Werkself fans: The new Farbenstadt range is available now from the Bayer 04 online shop and the Fanwelt. This includes new T-shirts made of 100% organic cotton, zip-up hoodies and jogging bottoms in five different summer colours.
Show moreBayer 04 new signing Carlotta Wamser has been called up to the Germany squad for the Women's EURO 2025 finals in Switzerland. For the 21-year-old winger, who is set to join Bayer 04 from Eintracht Frankfurt for next season, it is the first participation in a big international tournament.
Show moreFollowing the end of the season for Bayer 04, a lot of Werkself players are currently on the road with their national teams. The Leverkusen players are involved in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League, qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and international friendlies. Read on for the latest news on international fixtures involving Werkself players.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen will be the first Bundesliga team to hold their pre-season training camp in South America. The 2024 Bundesliga and DFB Cup winners will be in Rio de Janeiro from 14 to 24 July. Under the motto "Esquenta!" ("warm up"), the Werkself will prepare for the new campaign at the training facility of Flamengo Rio de Janeiro, one of the most renowned and largest clubs in South America.
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