Julian Baumgartlinger and Vlad Yurchenko, who were due to play World Cup qualifiers for their national sides the night before, are expected back on Thursday. Coach Heiko Herrlich misses two players due to injury as he prepares for the third Bundesliga matchday: Tin Jedvaj is in rehab after suffering a hairline fracture to his shin. And new signing Panos Retsos, who arrived in Leverkusen on Tuesday, is working on his own in the Werkstatt as he recovers from a blow to his right knee playing for his country.
Retsos had to miss the first session with his new team-mates. Instead he took time out in the afternoon to face questions from members of the written and radio media. The 19-year-old commented…
...on his decision to join Bayer 04:
"It's a great honour for me to play for a club like Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The club has always played in the Champions League in recent years and is one of the big clubs. It was important for me and my development to take the next step at a club like this. I spoke to Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Konstantinos Stafylidis (former Bayer 04 players) to find out more about Bayer 04. Papa only had good things to say and he told me it's like a family here and the club places great value in young players. That was very important for me and it encouraged me a lot."
...on the Bundesliga:
"The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in the world. I'm really happy I can play here in spite of my young age. After the Bundesliga players Papadopoulos (Hamburg SV), Staflidis (FC Augsburg) and Sokratis (Borussia Dortmund) told me about the league when they were with the national team, I definitely wanted to come here."
...on his favourite position:
"I played in several positions at Olympiakos last season. It wasn't that easy. For me personally and for my development the most important thing is to play regularly – it doesn't matter whether it’s in the centre or the right at the back or in holding midfield. I feel most at home in central defence but I don't have any problem with playing at left back. The main thing is I can get to play.
...on possible selection for Saturday:
"I took a blow to the right knee in the World Cup qualifier against Estonia. It's not a bad injury but after talking to the doctors we didn't want to take any risks so I’ve eased off for a couple of days. That's why I worked on my own in the gym today but I hope to back with the rest of the team in the next few days. We'll have to see if that will be enough for Saturday’s game against Mainz."
...on leaving Greece:
"The last training sessions with my old team-mates at Olympiakos and the farewell were sad moments for me – I'd spent ten or eleven years at the club. And the day I flew out was very emotional: A lot of my friends were at the airport to say goodbye. But along with the tears there were a whole load of happy feelings because I very much looked forward to taking the next step and moving to Leverkusen."
...on his first impressions at Bayer 04:
My first impressions have been fantastic: The stadium is great and the same applies to the different training facilities. Even though the facilities at Olympiakos were very good, it's a completely different level here."
...on his targets:
"I'd like to become a better player – at Bayer 04 I'll be playing with very good team-mates and in the Bundesliga I'll be up against other top players. I want to take the next step here and I hope I'll develop into a leading player."
Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
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Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
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