
"Normal weeks present the opportunity to structure training better and to take your time for certain things,” Gerardo Seoane explained to the media representatives in relation to the current and following week of training (Click HERE for the key statements from the press conference).
Daley Sinkgraven has returned to the training ground and worked with the ball. The Dutchman suffered a groin injury two weeks ago. In spite of progress made, as Seoane explained, he will however "not be ready" for the top match against Borussia Dortmund (6 February).







Julian Baumgartlinger continues to work hard on making his comeback. The 34-year-old midfielder, sidelined by a cruciate injury, played his last match at the end of August last year. Baumgartlinger is making good progress but patience is required for his return as Seoane explained.
The Werkself have two training sessions on Thursday and Friday with Lukas Hradecky and Co. being able to switch off from football at the weekend – the international break means there are no Bundesliga fixtures at the weekend and Gerardo Seoane has given his players time off.
The situation is rather different at the moment for Werkself player Odilon Kossounou. The central defender is in action with the Ivory Coast on Wednesday evening in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations. The record winners of the tournament Egypt provide the opposition in Douala (kick-off: 17.00 CET). The Ivorians will face Morocco if they progress to the quarter-finals.
Kossounou's teammate Edmond Tapsoba is already one step ahead with Burkina Faso: The West Africans beat Gabon 2-1 in the Round of 16 and now play Tunisia on Saturday 29 January (kick-off: 20.00 CET). All matches in the Africa Cup of Nations are being shown live on the streaming service DAZN.
It's official: The 2021 'Sporting photo of the Year’ was taken in Leverkusen. At the 52nd presentation of award by the football magazine kicker and the Association of German Sports journalists (VDS), Mika Volkmann finished in top spot with his photo.

On the photo entitled 'Stars close-up', the Paralympics winner Johannes Floors is seen with a youth athlete. The snapshot was taken last September at the Parasport TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen Talent Days at the club's indoor athletics facility. Congratulations on the award.
The German Football League (DFL) plus the 36 clubs in the two Bundesliga divisions have set up an online platform for community and social engagement in German professional football. At bundesliga-wirkt.dfl.de, information is available together for the first time on projects and activities of the Bundesliga and second division clubs plus the DFL in the areas of exercise and health, education and opportunities, ecology and environmental protection, solidarity and cooperation as well as diversity and togetherness.
Bayer 04 send out birthday greetings to another birthday boy on this Wednesday: The former defender Manfred Vetter, at the Black and Reds from 1971 to 1975, his 71 years old. Many happy returns.

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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