
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!
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.
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.


The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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