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.
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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