Intense open training session after Leipzig win

The Bayer 04 supporters in attendance saw a Werkself group play the ball about in high spirits. Although nine players on international duty were absent, the group that included Aleix Garcia, Lucas Vázquez and Victor Boniface – was bolstered by the four U19 players Clinton Wilson, Nebe Domnic, Dustin Buck and Kenan Doganay. The players warmed up together with a passing drill before the coaching team led by Carles Martínez had the players take part in various training games and later compete against each other in a match with two goals. Anyone who expected a relaxed session was proven wrong by the final match at the very latest: intense battles made for a highly entertaining session both on and off the pitch.

While Nathan Tella was back in full training, Montrell Culbreath and Eliesse Ben Seghir were working on the adjacent pitch. After training finished, the Bayer 04 first-team players took plenty of time out to keep the fans in attendance happy with selfies and autographs. Birthday boy Robert Andrich was given a guard of honour by his team-mates before training even began, and afterwards, numerous Leverkusen supporters also congratulated the man who has just turned 32.

Diaby: "the Fans and i get on well"

Moussa Diaby stayed behind for training inside the BayArena. In a brief press briefing after training, the Frenchman once again emphasised his close bond with Bayer 04: “This club gave me my first chance to play in a big stadium in front of fantastic fans. I’m very happy to be back here.” He added he hadn’t really been surprised by the warm welcome from the Werkself supporters in his first home games: “The fans and I, we like each other. Even back when I played here before, we had a very good relationship. Their support is brilliant and, of course, it helps me a lot. I want to do everything I can to give something back to them.”

The 27-year-old said many wonderful things have remained the same since his early years in Leverkusen, “but the mentality has become stronger and more competitive. The club has a major influence in the Bundesliga and a really good team – together we can achieve great things.”