
After three games last week, several players worked on their own. Charles Aránguiz left the pitch after the warm-up and some passing drills accompanied by fitness coach Daniel 'Giga' Jouvin. And the Bender twins also completed an individual session. Karim Bellarabi was absent in addition to the injured Leon Bailey (torn muscle). The 29-year-old reported sick but is likely to return to training with his team-mates on Thursday.
Preparations for the the game against FC Augsburg are in full swing. "Of course, there could be changes for Saturday," announced Peter Bosz. But not with regard to the Champions League game in Turin on Tuesday. "We are only focused on Augsburg." Given questions from the media, that's not always easy but the team did stand out in the second half of last season. "It's a quality to be able to just concentrate on the next game."
Bosz does not see it as a burden that matches are being played regularly every three days. "We fought hard to get into the Champions League. That's why we don't want to complain." At the same time, the number of matches gives players a chance to get time on the pitch when they have hardly featured before. The lads have to be "patient", added Bosz who is convinced that "everyone will have played by the end of the season."
Managing that process correctly is all part of the high art of being a coach. "It's also part of it being able to explain to players why they are on the bench. As with Mitch (Mitchell Weiser, ed.), where Bosz explained you can't draw any conclusions from that. "Obviously I can't do that every time."
Tin Jedvaj went out on loan to get more match practice. The Croatian World Cup runner-up joined FC Augsburg before matchday two and has, since then, played the full 90 minutes in every game for FCA. "I'm very happy for Tin", declared Bosz without saying what will happen to Jedvaj at the end of the one-year loan. "First he has to play and get as many games under his belt as possible. Then he'll come back and we'll see where we are."
Bayer 04 TV recorded Lucas Alario for the interview of the week. The Argentinian spoke about his recall to the Argentina squad, his team-mates and best men's player of the year Messi, his comeback with the goal against Union Berlin and, of course, the forthcoming game at Augsburg. The full interview will be on bayer04.de soon.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed France U17 international Kenan Doganay. The 1.90-metre-tall defensive midfielder, who has Turkish roots, joins Leverkusen from the U19s at French top-flight club Olympique Lyon. He will initially train with and play for the U19 team.
Show more
The Sports Tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) has fined Bayer 04 Leverkusen €185,000 for spectators setting off pyrotechnic devices during a total of five competitive matches. This relates to four Bundesliga matches and the DFB Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich. The highest individual fine relates to the away match at FC Köln at the end of April.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 goalkeeper Simeon Rapsch. The Germany youth international goalkeeper has signed a long-term contract with the Werkself running to 30 June 2029. The 18-year-old joined Leverkusen from FC Viktoria Köln in the summer of 2024.
Show more
Ken Izekor is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join third-tier side Alemannia Aachen with immediate effect. The 19-year-old centre-forward joined the club from Alemannia in 2018, and Izekor is now returning to his hometown.
Show more