Florian Wirtz is on his way back. The Werkself youngster has struggled with muscular problems in his hip since the Europa League home game against Real Betis (4-0). The 18-year-old could return to the squad. The forward today completed an individual session with fitness coach Schahriar Bigdeli and primarily worked with the ball. His first session with the team is planned for tomorrow (Wednesday).
And Bayer 04 attacker Karim Bellarabi is also on the verge of making his return. The 31-year-old suffered a torn muscle in his right thigh at the end of October in the derby against FC Köln (2-2) and today he completed the warm-up routine with the squad. After that, the striker worked with fitness coach Daniel Jouvin. He is also due to rejoin the squad tomorrow.
Both Werkself players could be in the squad for the Bundesliga match against VfL Bochum on Saturday, 20 November (kick-off: 15.30 CET).
Patrik Schick and Charles Aránguiz are also working hard on making a comeback. Schick was back on the pitch on Tuesday with Bayer 04 physio Hans-Jörg Schneider after injuring ligaments in his left ankle. "His ligaments have healed. But we need to continue to be careful and wait and see how he is with pain over the next few days," explained head coach Gerardo Seoane to the media after the training session.
Robert Andrich, who suffered a slight knock in the Hertha game, took part in the warm-up routine with the team and then joined in with the individual training session along with Karim Bellarabi and Charles Aránguiz. The latter was back on the pitch for the second time on Tuesday morning following his calf injury. And it is also possible that the Chilean may return to full training during the course of the week.
Gerardo Seoane will only decide which of the players on their way back could be an option for the Bochum game after the final pre-match training session on Friday: “Of course, we want to have as many fit players as possible available but we have eight more difficult games ahead of us this year. It's always about assessing risk over the long term," said the Swiss coach.
Head coach Gerardo Seoane was a guest on 'Der Sechzehner' podcast. In a discussion with St. Pauli club official Ewald Lienen and football commentator Michael Born, the 42-year-old talked about his preferred style of play and the development of the Werkself since he took over the helm.
The whole episode can be heard HERE or on the usual podcast platforms.
Six current and former Bayer 04 players and staff represented Germany on Sunday, 14 November in the international against Armenia (4-1). Defender Jonathan Tah and physio Jens Joppich were joined by former Leverkusen teammates Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Kevin Volland (AS Monaco), Bernd Leno (Arsenal) and Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund). That was the source of this excellent snapshot. A cool group.
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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