Heiko Herrlich has opted not to have a training camp and instead will prepare his team for the second half of the season in Leverkusen – training restarts on Tuesday, 2 January 2018 (15.30 CET) with an open session.
Two friendlies have been arranged before Bayer 04 open the second half of the Bundesliga campaign when Bayern Munich visit the BayArena on Friday 12 January (20.30 CET). Second division SpVgg Greuther Fürth are the visitors at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on 5 January (14.00 CET). That could see a reunion with former Bayer 04 player Roberto Hilbert who is now under contract at the Bavarian club. The Werkself have another friendly a day later on 6 January – this time against third division Preußen Münster (14.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium).
Bayer 04 are also planning another two friendlies in January to be fully prepared for the 2017/18 campaign run-in: The day after the game against Bayern, the Werkself will play third division Sportfreunde Lotte (13 January, 11.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium) – the club that caused an upset last season when knocked Bayer 04 out of the DFB Cup. Three days after the league match at TSG Hoffenheim (20 January), the Werkself take on Regional League outfit Rot-Weiß Oberhausen (23 January, 11.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium) in the fourth friendly in January.
Tuesday 2 January: Training restarts (15. 30 CET)
Friday 5 January: Friendly against SpVgg Greuther Fürth (14 .00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium)
Saturday 6 January: Friendly against Preußen Münster (14.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium)
Friday 12 January: Second half of season opener against Bayern Munich (20.30 CET, BayArena)
Saturday 13 January: Friendly against SF Lotte (11.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium)
Saturday 20 January: Bundesliga fixture at TSG Hoffenheim (15.30 CET, Rhein Neckar Arena)
Tuesday 23 January: Friendly against RW Oberhausen (11.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium)
Sunday 28 January: Bundesliga fixture against Mainz 05 (15.30 CET, BayArena)
Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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One ticket, two matches – and a varied programme of events, including appearances by players from the professional teams: Bayer 04 has come up with something very special for the 2026 season launch on Saturday, 8 August. From morning right through to the evening, Werkself fans can use just one ticket to not only enjoy top-class football from the Bayer 04 teams live, but also to experience unforgettable moments with the whole family through a variety of hands-on activities around the BayArena and the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The day will also end on a real high note: after both matches, Bayer 04 supporters will have the opportunity to interact directly with the players during joint activities and get to know them from a different angle.
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Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
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