In a 90-minute session in wind and rain with a temperature of ten degrees, the focus was on passing and moves as well as sprints. Head coach Gerardo Seoane was able to welcome back the first player from international duty in the shape of Charles Aránguiz. Aránguiz played for Chile on Friday night in a friendly against Morocco (0-2). The midfielder played the first 45 minutes for La Roja in his 95th international appearance.
More good news: Andrey Lunev was back on the training ground for the first time after recovering from a thigh injury. The keeper worked with goalkeeping coach David Thiel.
Amine Adli was involved in much of full training today as well as working on his own. “Amine is on the right track. He still needs to complete endurance tests before getting the all clear from the medical section. The main aim is to correctly assess the recovery from injury as best as possible to minimise the risk as much as we can,” Seoane reported to the media after the session. In addition, the coach included three U19 players in the 16-strong Werkself training group: Keeper Maximilian Neutgens, midfielder Ingyom Jung and striker Noah Pesch.
Florian Wirtz trained on his own at the same time in the neighbouring Ulrich Haberland Stadium. “He’s working to a timetable and is already able to do some things more dynamically. Nevertheless, there’s still a fair way to go,” explained the Swiss coach.
The 43-year-old team boss drew a positive conclusion from recent training sessions: “The part of the squad that’s here has been committed in training, has shown good energy and readiness. I see a team on the pitch that is pulling its weight and trying daily to improve.” For the forthcoming match against Bayern Munich, video analysis and individual discussions will come into play in addition to physical training in the next few days.
Lukas Hradecky and Co. will have the backing of a large number of Black and Red fans at the Allianz Arena: 2,441 tickets have been sold.
To celebrate the 46th birthday of Michael Ballack, Werkself TV brings you his best goals for Bayer 04. HERE is the video.
Michael Ballack joined Bayer 04 Leverkusen from FC Kaiserslautern in the summer of 1999. Under the Bayer Cross, the former Germany captain with the number 13 shirt developed into a world-class player before moving on to Bayern Munich (2002 to 2006) and Chelsea (2006 to 2010). Ballack ended his career where it took off: at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The midfielder with a goal threat made 155 appearances and scored 42 goals (28 assists) in five years at Bayer 04.
Another birthday boy in the Bayer 04 family: Fitness coach Markus Müller is 37 today. Müller joined Leverkusen from Borussia Mönchengladbach at the start of the 2022/23 season after spending six years as a fitness coach with his previous club. Müller, who completed a degree at the German Sports University in Cologne, also worked in the academy at Borussia Dortmund for two years.
The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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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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