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.
Full-back Julia Mickenhagen is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the end of the season to join Bundesliga newcomers VfB Stuttgart. The 21-year-old’s contract with the club expires on 30 June.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 3-1 win at RB Leipzig on the 25th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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The Werkself need a win in their penultimate match of the season at RB Leipzig on Monday evening (18:00 CEST) to keep their hopes of third place alive until the final day. After Eintracht Frankfurt lost on Saturday, Roberto Pätzold's side can close the gap on their rivals to two points and leave it all to play for next Sunday.
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Werkself fans from across the New York City area gathered Saturday morning at Smithfield Hall in Manhattan to cheer on Bayer 04 in the club’s crucial Bundesliga showdown against VfB Stuttgart given the match’s big implications.
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In the next head-to-head clash for the Champions League places at VfB Stuttgart, Bayer 04 failed to follow up their impressive 4-1 win at home to RB Leipzig from the week before. After Aleix Garcia gave the Werkself the lead with their fastest goal of the season, the Swabians turned the game around and won 3-1, knocking Leverkusen down into sixth place. It leaves them needing a win at home to Hamburger SV and other results to go their way on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign in order to reclaim fourth spot. The Werkself Review has all the analysis and reaction from all those involved in an eventful encounter with VfB.
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