Sven Bender completed an individual session with fitness coach Daniels Jouvin. The central defender is expected to return to full training towards the end of the week. Leon Bailey, who is suspended for the next two Bundesliga games after being sent off in Cologne, missed the last drill of the day due to slight muscular problems that appeared during the session. Charles Aránguiz is currently in rehab training.
The winger Paulinho, is making slow but sure progress with the Brazil U23s: The 19-year-old is currently involved in a qualification tournament for participation in the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The first opponents for Brazil are the Peru U23s on Monday 20 January (kick-off: 02.30 CET). Paulinho and Co. also face the U23 teams from Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia in the group stage. Only the top two teams have the chance of taking one of the two Olympic slots for South American countries.
For the rest of the Werkself players, today's training session marked the start of preparations for the first game of the second half of the season away to SC Paderborn (Sunday, 19 January at 18.00 CET). "They've got incredible pace, above all in transition," striker Kevin Volland said in sounding a warning about the next opponents but he also stressed: "We want to make a good start to the second half of the season and produce a convincing performance." With a start or an appearance from the bench in Eastern Westphalia, the 27-year-old would continue a notable run.
Volland has played in every Bundesliga game for Bayer 04 since matchday 34 in 2017/18 – on 12 May 2018. That makes a total of 51 games in succession. The man from Marktoberdorf was forced to miss the game against Hannover 96 due to a one-match ban and the last game before that (in the derby at FC Köln on 18 March 2018) was missed by the striker due to the birth of his daughter. "I'm delighted that I'm so fit. In addition to that, I'm the sort of person who can grit his teeth when it hurts," explain Volland who, with the exception of two lay-offs due to a broken finger and a torn muscle in his first season at Leverkusen (2016/17), has avoided long-term injuries during the season up to now.
Tickets for the Werkself home game against FC Porto in the Europa League (20 February, kick-off 21.00 CET) went on sale exclusively to Bayer 04 Club members this morning. Open sale begins on 16 January (10.00 CET).
Former Bayer 04 CEO Wolfgang Holzhäuser celebrated his 70th birthday on Monday. The man from South Hessen was the successor to Rainer Calmund as the managing director and spokesperson for the Bayer 04 board. In addition, Holzhäuser was also on the shareholders committee of the of the football club up to 2017.
Today, 14 January, also marks another special birthday: Dietmar Demuth, the first Bundesliga goalscorer for the Black and Reds exactly 14,766 days ago, celebrates his 65th birthday. Bayer 04 wishes all three happy birthday.
Calling all Bayer 04 fans: The Werkself will play Pisa SC, newly promoted to Serie A, at the BayArena as part of the season opener. The clash with the club from Tuscany is on Tuesday, 5 August with the kick-off at 18:00 CET. Entrance to the stadium with a wide range of entertainment provided is possible from 15:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales for the season opener.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the 17-year-old forward Dustin Buck. The Germany youth international joins from the youth set-up at FC Augsburg. The technically gifted and fast attacker will strengthen the Werkself U19 squad.
Show moreSeveral Bayer 04 Legends, Bayer executives, club officials, current defender Arthur and, of course, dozens of enthusiastic children turned out on Saturday on the south side of Sao Paulo for the official opening of the Bayer 04 Football Academy, located at Club Bayer on the campus of Bayer Brazil.
Show moreA great night for 'Calle': Bayer 04 new signing Carlotta Wamser helped Germany to an opening win in the Women's Euro in Switzerland with an impressive performance. After coming on as a substitute in the 2-0 victory over Poland in Group C, the winger provided an assist and helped set up the second goal. The 21-year-old earned great praise from her coach and teammates in her first tournament match.
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