Three players did miss the morning session on the Leverkusen training ground. In addition to captain Lars Bender (rehab training after a torn thigh muscle), Wendell was also unable to take part in full training after suffering a bruised foot at Hamburg. "Wendell was only been able to do a limited session in the morning as he's still feeling pain from his injury," said Herrlich. Nevertheless, the boss is optimistic the Brazilian left back should be fit for Sunday. And with Jonathan Tah, who missed a return to his old stomping ground at the weekend due to a bout of flu, Herrlich is hoping he will return in the next few days. "We won't hurry things and we'll take it day by day," added the 46-year-old.
There is good news about Lars Bender: The 28-year-old is making progress with his recovery. According to the medical section, he could even start training with the ball again this week – even though that would be in a one-to-one session with fitness coach Daniel Jouvin. The home game against the team in sixth place from Gelsenkirchen, with tickets still available for the match, comes too early for the versatile defender.
On the plus side, there is an all clear for Charles Aránguiz. The Chilean, who has been in outstanding form in recent weeks, was only on the training ground this morning. While his team-mates went on to complete an energetic session on the pitch, Charles worked on his own in the Werkstatt.
This week, Werkself fans can only see their stars train on Wednesday and Thursday (both sessions start at 10.30 CET). Final preparations for the match against direct rivals for a European spot will be held behind closed doors.
The long-standing successful collaboration between Bayer 04 and the transport service provider wupsi GmbH has been expanded: From January 2026, 100 wupsi bikes with Bayer 04 branding will be available for hire throughout the city of Leverkusen. They will complement the many existing offers and services that provide key support, especially for fans travelling to and from home matches at the BayArena.
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The Werkself are back! Following the two-week winter break, head coach Kasper Hjulmand's team began the new year with an open session on Sunday. After Robert Andrich and his teammates arrived in Leverkusen yesterday for the official check-in, they got back down to business a day later in front of around 1,200 fans at the Ulrich Haberland Stadion. The report from the Werkself's first session of 2026.
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In her debut season of 2024/25, Cornelia Kramer immediately became the top scorer for Bayer 04 Women. However, the Danish national team striker was stopped by an injury at the start of the new season. Now, just in time before the end of last year, she is fit again – and has extended her contract early until 2027. In this interview, the 23-year-old talks about the reasons for her decision and looks ahead.
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After a two-week winter break, the Werkself resume training on Sunday, 4 January. The first session in 2026 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium starts at 11:00 and is open to fans. Bayer 04 look forward to welcoming supporters at the start of 2026. The Werkself schedule for the new year.
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