Back in Leverkusen: After a total of twelve Werkself players were on the road with their national teams last week, Gerardo Seoane was able to welcome back the first returnees to training on Thursday morning. Edmond Tapsoba, Moussa Diaby, Odilon Kossounou, Lukas Hradecky and Jonathan Tah were the first five internationals to complete their first training session in the shadow of the BayArena.
The South American international players Exequiel Palacios, Charles Aránguiz and Piero Hincapie only return to Germany today and they will rejoin the squad tomorrow (Friday).
Speaking to the media, Seoane spoke about the international break and the numerous call-ups as follows: I'm always very keen to follow the international games and the performance of our players called up. Of course, you always have one eye on their fitness. But I always prefer it if the players get to play. That shows they've produced the performances to get there. And they also keep in a rhythm. There are obviously benefits of players staying here as we can control their workload," said the Swiss coach.
The 43-year-old coach was positive about Charles Aránguiz playing for Chile: "Charly has been hit with a lot of injuries in recent years but he's been completely free of problems for several games. He always produces good performances in whichever role he plays for us. To that extent, it's important for him to be at 100% so that he can keep in rhythm over a longer period of time and we don't have to take any risks."
Seoane highlighted the attitude of the midfield maestro: "He's very professional, works a lot, is focused and he knows his body. He has a role model function in our team. He's always the first there and one of the last to go."
For the home game at the BayArena against Hertha Berlin on Saturday 2 April (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), there will be a large number of closures affecting S-Bahn and motorway traffic due to the work on infrastructure for the Rhein-Ruhr-Express: S-Bahn trains between Cologne and Düsseldorf terminate at the Chempark station. From here there is a replacement bus service to Langenfeld – the same applies in the other direction.
All visitors planning to travel by rail are advised by Bayer 04 to take the RB 48 to the Leverkusen-Manfort station. From there there is a 20-minute walk to the BayArena.
From Friday 1 April (22.00 CEST) to Monday 11 April (05.00 CEST), the Willy-Brandt-Ring between Carl-Duisberg-Straße and Edith-Weyde-Straße will be completely closed to road traffic as well as pedestrians and cyclists. The motorway exit from the A3 interchange for Leverkusen city centre is closed. Diversions will be shown for road traffic.
Car drivers wanting to reach the Kurtekotten car park via the A3 should come off the motorway in Köln-Mülheim and head for the car park via the B8 in the direction of Leverkusen (Düsseldorfer Straße). Otto-Bayer-Straße is recommended for satnav use. Car drivers who have parking permits around the BayArena recommended to use the A3 taking the Leverkusen-Opladen exit. From there, the car parks (green and red) will be signposted.
Bayer 04 recommends all fans to arrive early at the game. The BayArena opens two hours before kick-off at 13.30 CEST.
Lothar Matthäus talked about a possible call-up to the Germany squad for Robert Andrich in an article in the Bild Zeitung. The Germany international with the record number of caps compared the Werkself number 8 to Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich): "Robert Andrich is a similar player to Kimmich. At Leverkusen he’s shown he has the answers on the pitch." The TV pundit also shared a prediction: "I think he – if he maintains his performances – will get the call from Hansi (Germany coach Flick, ed.).”
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
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