Before getting to work with the ball on the grass again this coming week, Sunday was all about the obligatory medical and athletic testing, which saw the players undergo all sorts of examinations from their head to their feet, as well as internal medicine and orthopaedics. The Werkself players then completed various exercises related to coordination, mobility and stability along with spirometry on the treadmill.
To this end, the 17 players appeared punctually in small groups throughout the day on the third floor of the BayArena. Victor Boniface and Odilon Kossounou, for example, got things under way at 9 am, followed by new recruit Andrea Natali and birthday boy Jonas Hofmann. In the afternoon, it was the turn of the likes of summer signing Aleix Garcia, Amine Adli and Edmond Tapsoba. Captain Lukas Hradecky quipped in between his tests: "Unfortunately, I've only completed the first half - the harder part is still to come with the running," adding: "I look forward less to this day, and much more to being back on the pitch with the lads tomorrow and having fun."
On the subject of being back on the pitch, head coach Xabi Alonso will welcome his players to the training ground for the first time since the summer break tomorrow, Monday 15 July. The session outside the gates of the BayArena is set to start at 11:00 CEST and is open to the public.
Euro finalist Alejandro Grimaldo and Exequiel Palacios, who is involved in the Copa América final with Argentina, will miss the start of pre-season training along with a number of other internationals, who are enjoying a well-earned holiday following their tournament appearances straight after the end of the season.
Find an overview of the first open sessions HERE.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 0-1 loss against TSG Hoffenheim on the 19th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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The Bayer 04 Women suffered a setback in the race for third place in the Bundesliga table. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team lost 1-0 at home to direct rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday afternoon, with a penalty after two minutes deciding the match. With 32 points and a game in hand, TSG have moved above the Werkself, who remain on 31 points. There is now a three-week international break before the remaining seven Bundesliga matches.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without defender Loïc Badé for the time being. The Frenchman suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh in Saturday’s 1-0 Bundesliga defeat at FC Union Berlin. The diagnosis was the result of an MRI scan this Sunday morning.
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It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.
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