Welcome back! Werkself striker Patrik Schick is back on the training ground and he has completed the first sessions with squad since his calf injury. "Patrik has been able to take part in a lot of the training at reduced intensity," said head coach Gerardo Seoane on Tuesday morning.
Nobody wants to rush things and, above all, follow the week of training together with the medical department: "Players always feel a physical reaction after exertion. Therefore, the need for a good base and several sessions to get his movements and above all his mind at 100%. That's what we want to wait for," said the Swiss coach.
It remains to be seen whether the Czech Republic international will be a possible for the forthcoming Bundesliga match against Hertha Berlin on Saturday 2 April (kick-off: 15.30 CEST). It is clear though: "In terms of personnel at the moment it would obviously be important for him to come back. I'm sure he will make an important contribution for us in the remaining games," added Seoane.
The like2drive Goal of the Month was provided by a youngster this time: U17 new signing Jardell Kanga played with an older age group in the U19 friendly against FC Düren (6-1) and he scored an excellent goal to make it 4-0 on 59 minutes. The Swedish youngster curled the ball round the wall from a free kick on the right-hand side of the box and into the net at the near post. Congratulations.
You can watch that impressive goal HERE.
Somewhat longer ago but no less spectacular was the goal scored by the former Werkself player Erich Meijer: With an assist from Paulo Sergio, the Dutchman netted the second goal with a back-heel on 86 minutes in a 2-0 win in the home game against Schalke 04 in March 1977. That strike was the Goal of the Month in March 1997.
HERE is that goal to enjoy again
"I see Germany amongst the usual suspects for the title – alongside England and Brazil," said Bayer 04 sporting managing director Rudi Völler in an interview with Germany editors network. "Even if the opponents have not yet been of real high quality. They will improve when faced with the class of the forthcoming opponents."
Kai Havertz, who came through the ranks under the Bayer Cross over the course of ten years, will play a key role in the mission. "I'm absolutely convinced that Kai will play a very good role at the World Cup," declared Völler. "You just have to look at Chelsea. A world-class striker like Romelu Lukaku has been on the bench for weeks because he can't get ahead of Kai."
The 61-year-old also sees the chances of the Werkself player Florian Wirtz, who underwent a successful operation on his cruciate at the weekend, of playing at the World Cup as realistic: "Watching the two playing together – one perhaps more attacking, the other a bit more defensive – would make me very happy. That these top players started their careers with us makes us proud," said the former Germany coach.
The Austria coach and former Bayer 04 player Franco Foda has resigned his role as the coach of the Austria national team. The 55-year-old coach announced that himself at a press conference on Monday following the failure to qualify for the World Cup finals. Foda had taken over the team from Marcel Koller in the autumn of 2017. His overall record: 27 wins in 47 games. The German has his last match in the Austria dugout tonight (Tuesday 29 March) against Scotland. The former defender was part of the Leverkusen cup winning team in 1993 when he led the Werkself team to victory against Hertha Berlin (1-0) in the final as captain.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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