Bayer 04 changed the format of the return to training at short notice. On the recommendation of the DFL, all members of the senior squad completed a PCR test in the morning. That did not include Piero Hincapie as he tested positive for Covid-19 over Christmas. The defender from Ecuador was absent as was long-term injury Julian Baumgartlinger.
The coaching staff had 16 outfield players and four goalkeepers to work with. Lennart Grill is back on the pitch in Leverkusen after a period on loan at Brann Bergen. The 22-year-old made 13 appearances for the Norwegian top-flight club and, with only three defeats, they successfully reached the play-offs. However, Brann Bergen lost 8-7 on penalties to FK Jerv in a dramatic decider in the middle of December.
The next full training session is on Thursday. The coaching staff are hoping one or two other players may return. Due to the differing travelling demands, a number of squad members worked on their own at the BayArena on the first day of the run-in.
Bayer 04 host Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the 2025/26 DFB Pokal. The tie will be played on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, at the BayArena with the kick-off at 20:45 CEST. Information on ticket sales.
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Bayer 04 have the chance to reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the third time ever and the first in 14 years at Arsenal on Tuesday night (kick-off 21:00 CEST/20:00 local time). To do that, the Werkself not only require a strong performance like in the first leg, but also full concentration until the very last minute, as the Premier League leaders like to score late - as they did at the BayArena last week. Here's the Matchday News.
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A special award for special social commitment. At this year's ceremony for the Sepp Herberger Awards in Wolfsburg on Monday night, the DFB Sepp Herberger Foundation recognised Bayer 04 in the social rehabilitation category. The Bundesliga club received the prize, together with €12,000, for its great service to inmates, particularly in the Wuppertal-Ronsdorf prison.
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Can Bayer 04 pull off a coup in London? Just over a week after the 1-1 draw in the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie, the Werkself are now looking to put in a convincing performance away at Arsenal – and get a result to secure a place in the quarter-finals. Ahead of the match on Tuesday, (kick-off: 21:00 CET), head coach Kasper Hjulmand shared his thoughts on the team’s hunger for success. Exequiel Palacios, meanwhile, spoke about the importance of the fixture and the team’s development over the past few months.
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In their last two matches, they’ve done exactly what 'Laterkusen' did in the 2023/24 double-winning season: late on, but not too late, the Gunners scored crucial goals – first in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 at Bayer 04, then last weekend in the Premier League against Everton. This Tuesday, 17 March (kick-off: 21:00 CET), Arsenal host the Werkself in London. The latest on our opponents.
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