Jonathan Tah also returned on Monday. The 21-year-old, who missed the U21 European Championships due to a groin injury, ended his holidays on Monday. Jonathan started with medical tests before moving on to exercises in the gym. It remains to be seen when the central defender will rejoin his team-mates. Admir Mehmedi and Lars Bender also trained on their own on Monday on their way back from muscle problems.
Sven Bender faces the press
It was the second session with the squad for Lars' twin brother Sven. The new signing from Borussia Dortmund was again on the pitch as he was on Saturday. Before that he faced the press. The 28-year-old again commented on his move: "It was important to me to get back on the pitch. I saw the opportunities being better at Bayer 04 than at BVB." Since his first discussions with the club management, he felt "he was wanted here." He went on to explain: "With my experience and the way I play I can definitely help the club. I want to lead the team. And I'm confident I can do that."
He was also happy to be reunited with his brother who he used to play alongside at TSV 1860 Munich in 2009: "Of course, I'm looking forward to playing with him again. I can't say how that will turn out. We've played too many years at different clubs to predict that."
Friendly in Bonn on Wednesday
The defender, born in Rosenheim, is looking to help the Werkself get back to winning ways. His first impressions of head coach Heiko Herrlich and the team were very positive. "We’ll come together as a team in the pre-season," said our new number five full of conviction. It is possible that Sven might make his debut in a Bayer 04 shirt on Wednesday. The Werkself play the third pre-season friendly away to Regional League side Bonner SC (18.30 CET, Sportpark Nord).
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
Show more
Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
Show more
Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
Show more
New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
Show more
