Day 2 blog: Intense work on the pitch – fan meet-up at the Schloss | Training camp in the Weimarer Land region

+++ 18:18: Afternoon training session focusing on tactics 📋🧠 +++

The second training session of the day took place in the afternoon; this time, it was closed to fans. The team began by warming up with a few agility exercises, both with and without the ball. This was followed by a few rounds of rondo, before the players split into attacking and defending groups and began tactical attacking and defensive drills. The session ended – partly because a light thunderstorm was brewing – with some finishing drills in the building adjacent to the pitch.

+++ 16:26: Fan meet-up at Schloss Blankenhain with Paulo Sergio 😍👋 +++

After the open training session, the fans made their way to the historic Schloss Blankenhain, just a few minutes’ walk away, where the official fan meet-and-greet was on the programme. Paulo Sergio was there too. The Brazilian World Cup winner from 1994 was greeted with loud applause – and immediately put through his paces with questions collected from fans beforehand. The 57-year-old was asked, amongst other things, about his role as an official club legend and he declared with a smile: “It means a great deal to me to be working for Bayer 04 in this capacity.”

Fans were also interested in his work as head of the Bayer 04 Football Academy in Brazil. Sergio: “Of course, it’s quite a lot of work, but it’s great fun. The connection between Bayer 04, the Academy, Bayer AG and Brazil is simply brilliant!” One of the biggest laughs came from his answer to the question of what he misses most from Germany when in Brazil. Sergio laughed: “Spezi! I drink that all the time here!”

As well as the big Q&A session with Paulo Sergio, food and drink stalls and the mobile fan shop, supporters also had the chance to win the latest Bayer 04 away jersey signed by Robert Andrich in a reaction game. In the end, two of the many participants stopped the timer at exactly the required 04.04 seconds.

What makes this special is that the two winners – Bayer 04 member Matthias and 15-year-old Timon – are father and son. They live in Jena. Matthias said, beaming with joy: “The closest Bayer 04 have ever been to our home before was the Pokal tie in the summer of 2024 (a 1–0 win, ed.). Of course, we were there too!” Their next visit to Leverkusen is already scheduled for this coming weekend to mark the start of the season – and one thing is certain: the away jersey they won at the fan meet-up will make its debut at the BayArena.

+++ 15:13: Exclusive hotel tour with Moreira & Badé 🤣🎥 +++

While the Werkself are about to set off for their second training session of the day – which, following this morning’s open training session, will be held behind closed doors this time – we’re bringing you a slightly different glimpse into this year’s training camp. Fancy a laugh? Then you should definitely check out the hotel tour with Afonso Moreira and Loïc Badé. Joining them are, amongst others, their team-mates Ibrahim Maza, Lucas Vázquez and Aleix Garcia, as well as CEO Fernando Carro, head coach Carles Martínez and the hotel’s reception team. Enjoy! 👇

TO HOTEL TOUR!

+++ 12:31: Press conference with Schick 🎤 +++

After training, Patrik Schick spoke to the media during a brief session on the pitch, saying, amongst other things: “Today’s first training session went very well. The intensity wasn’t quite as high at the start as it will be in the coming days, but it was a very good start. We’ve got another session this afternoon (closed session, ed.).” Speaking about the team’s targets for the new season, the Czechia international said: “Of course, we want to secure a Champions League place, and we’ll approach the Europa League with the mindset of wanting to win that competition.”

+++ 12:17: Time for autographs and selfies 🖊️📸 +++

Bright sunshine and even brighter faces among the fans: After a short gym session, the Werkself players, together with coach Carles Martínez and club legend Paulo Sergio, took plenty of time to pose for all the photos and selfies the fans wanted. A successful end to the first intensive session of this training camp.

+++ 11:51: High-intensity drills in confined space ⚽️✔️ +++

The main part of the first session of the day has just come to an end. Now there are a few runs to come, then a quick trip to the neighbouring gym – and, to round things off, of course, some autographs and selfies with the fans. You can find some highlights of that here too!

+++ 11:23: Rondos, sprinklers – and plenty of work on and off the ball! 🔥💯 +++

The Werkself held the first part of their current training session on the second pitch. In front of several hundred fans and Brian the Lion, who was posing for photos with the many children present, they moved onto the main pitch a good quarter of an hour ago and got down to business. They are currently doing a few rounds of rondo – and, thanks to the sprinklers, players, coaches and fans are getting a welcome chance to cool off every now and then. It really is very hot here! But there’s nothing to complain about – the conditions, especially the pitch, are absolutely top-notch!

+++ 09:57: First training session on the pitch in perfect conditions ☀️💪 +++

Good morning from Blankenhain! Today marks the start of gruelling training sessions at this year’s training camp. After breakfast together at the team hotel, the squad set off as a group on bikes and in golf buggies to the training ground, some five minutes away from the hotel.

With the sun shining brightly, temperatures around 30 degrees and some great tracks from Burna Boy and co., the Werkself are now warming up in the gym – before heading out onto the pitch for their open training session.