Tah heads home early
Jonathan Tah is ruled out of tonight's classic between Germany and Argentina (kick-off 20 to 45 CET). The 23-year-old left the Germany team hotel in Dortmund on Wednesday morning due to a bout of flu.
Speaking at yesterday's pre-match press conference, Germany coach Jogi Löw announced that Tah would miss the final training session and probably not take part in the friendly against Argentina. It also means that the Werkself number four will not play in the Euro 2020 qualifier against Estonia on Sunday 13 October (20.45 CET). Get well soon, Jonah!
Goals are rewarded
While Tah set off home, the rest of the Werkself pros in Leverkusen took part in the second training session of the week. Peter Bosz led the session at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium with the focus on shooting. And the 55-year-old thought up a system of rewards: Anyone who scored had to do a short sprint after the shot. Anybody who had their shot saved by the keeper or hit the woodwork had a shorter punishment run and anyone who missed the target had to do a long run.
In comparison with yesterday's group in training, consisting of Volland, Bellarabi, Weiser, Demirbay, Wendell, Lomb, Azhil from the U19’s and Özcan, only the last named was missing as he completed an individual routine as did Lars and Sven Bender plus Leon Bailey. He was replaced by the U19 keeper Marcel Johnen who had the chance to work with the first team squad.
Tightest table in 13 years
The Bundesliga is taking a break but a look at the table is not uninteresting at the moment. The current tight position in the top third of the table this term has only happened once before since the introduction of the three points for a win rule in 1995/96 after matchday seven. 13 years ago, in the 2006/07 season, the gap between league leaders Werder Bremen (13 points) and seventh-placed Borussia Dortmund (11) was just two points. Bayer 04 were twelfth back then and ended the season in fifth place. And the champions? That was VfB Stuttgart who were 'only' eighth after matchday seven.
Borussia Mönchengladbach are currently top on 16 points and Bayer 04 seventh on 14 points. So the race for the title and the European spots is still wide open. And league action returns next week with the Werkself opening matchday eight at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Related News
Women - 01.08.2026
Home kit debut: Women’s team win friendly against Genk
With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026
Werkself beat Essen 3-0 in friendly ahead of preseason training camp
A successful fourth preseason friendly ahead of the start of the training camp: The Werkself secured a 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The goals in what was a commanding and dominant performance by Leverkusen from the outset were scored by Ibrahim Maza (8'), Patrik Schick from the penalty spot (23’) and, in the second half, Montrell Culbreath with a header (79’). The team set off for their training camp in Blankenhain in the Weimarer Land region after the game.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026
Rudi recounts…: Vollborn August highlights
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personal Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
Show more
Bayer 04 - 30.07.2026
Werkself Team of the Quarter-Century: Wirtz and Alonso top the poll – Tapsoba and Rolfes in starting XI
You have voted – your ‘Team of the Quarter-Century’ has been decided! This historic selection, covering the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2024, features honorary captains, Bundesliga champions, double winners and Champions League finalists. Edmond Tapsoba is the only player from the current Bayer 04 squad to make it into the starting XI, while his team-mate Patrik Schick is on the bench. Simon Rolfes, the current managing director sport, is also in the lie-up. A truly special team that brings together a quarter of a century of Bayer 04 history – and has left a decisive mark on the club.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 30.07.2026
Tillman back in Leverkusen after World Cup with the USA
Following Patrik Schick, Mark Flekken, Ibrahim Maza and Kerim Alajbegovic earlier this week, the next World Cup participant is back on the training ground in Leverkusen: On Thursday 30 July, Malik Tillman rejoined the squad, completing his first training session under head coach Carles Martínez.
Show more
