The players completed a range of diagnostic procedures including the functional movement screen and spiroergometry in the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehab and training centre, on the third floor of the BayArena.
First up were a group comprising U19 new signing Madi Monamay, Zidan Sertdemir and Iker Bravo. Under the eyes of the coaching staff of Gerardo Seoane, Patrick Schnarwiler and Alberto Encinas they started with physical measurements carried out by the fitness and physio team. Then came the first strenuous minutes on exercise bikes looking out onto the training ground. The other players followed in small groups.
With loud music – the songs were chosen by Robert Andrich – and high spirits there were several drills on the training area on isometric and hip power measurement before functional agility was assessed using FMS and Y balance tests. With these methods and a standardised sequence of movements, key figures were recorded in the areas of ordination, agility and stability.
The most strenuous part of the Bayer 04 performance test always comes at the end: spiroergometry. All players end the day on the treadmill – complete with a respirator mask. Spiroergometry determines the maximum endurance potential. With crimson faces and bathed in sweat they all richly deserved the chance to cool down at the end.
Seoane will welcome his players to the training ground for the first time in this preseason tomorrow, Monday 27 June. The session starts at 10.30 CEST in the shadow of the BayArena. The training session on pitches one and two is open but car park P3 between the stadium and the training ground is closed until the end of July due to an event in and around the BayArena.
HERE is the information on the resumption of training.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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