Build-up to Wolfsburg game starts during international break

After last week's days without games or training, head coach Xabi Alonso welcomed a small group to training in a cool four degrees on Monday morning for the first session of the week. The Spaniard brought in a number of Bayer 04 youth players to fill out the group. Madi Monamay has already returned from international duty with the Belgium U18 side. The defender was on the winning side with Belgium against England and South Korea, both times on penalties, and he led the team out as captain against England.

Alonso particularly focused on passing and finishing in the first training session of the week. The 41-year-old manager was able to witness impressive attacking moves from Alejandro Grimaldo, Nathan Tella, Nadiem Amiri and Edmond Tapsoba. Patrik Schick, who completed the full session as he continues working on his comeback, looked sharp in front of goal as he converted a number of crosses.

international players due back from middle of the week

The Bayer 04 squad will be putting in hard shifts over the next few days in intensive sessions ahead of the Bundesliga match at the weekend. Several Werkself players, including Granit Xhaka, Josip Stanisic, Adam Hlozek and Matej Kovar, are expected back in Leverkusen on Wednesday and they will then join in preparations for the away match in Wolfsburg. The remaining Werkself players on international duty will be back with the team towards the end of the week.