Update on Bellarabi and Kampl
Good news from the training ground: Karim Bellarabi trained with the first team on Wednesday afternoon.
The Germany international did not complete all the drills, but after months in rehab and lots of individual sessions, working with his team-mates represents an important step in the right direction for the 26-year-old.
Kevin Kampl is also well on the way to making his comeback. The midfielder, who has been sidelined with a metatarsal injury, returned to work with fitness coaches Schahriar Bigdeli and Daniel Jouvin. At the same time, the rest of the squad were preparing for the final home game of the year against FC Ingolstadt.
Visit to children’s clinic
Following the training session, several Werkself players made their way to the children’s clinic in Leverkusen for the annual festive visit to young patients.
Happy Birthday
An old friend celebrates his 40th birthday today (Wednesday). Daniel Niedzkowski, who was assistant coach at Bayer 04 for three years up to the summer, is now working with the German FA (DFB) as assistant to the Under 21s coach Stefan Kuntz and he also supports Frank Wormuth, the head of coach education. Bayer 04 wish Daniel Niedzkowski many happy returns.
Related News
Bundesliga - 14.03.2026
Matchday news #B04FCB: Exploit weakness to extend unbeaten home run against Bayern
Bayern Munich come to the BayArena this Saturday with an 11-point lead in the Bundesliga as they look to take a step closer to the title. As imperious as they may seem, a weakness has emerged of late that the Werkself proved they can exploit in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the Champions League. Leverkusen are also looking to make it four Bundesliga home games unbeaten against the Bavarians. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the 15:30 CET kick-off in our matchday news.
Show more
Werkself-TV - 13.03.2026
Hjulmand ahead of #B04FCB: Bayern ‘maybe a bit more complete than Arsenal’
Another home game, another top opponent - another marker? Three days after their convincing performance in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg, Bayer 04 continue their Bundesliga campaign with an equally high-calibre fixture. Matchday 26 sees league leaders Bayern Munich visit the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the clash, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about a comparison between Arsenal and the Bavarians, Bayern's high-scoring performance in Europe's premier club competition and a return to the squad for one Werkself player.
Show more
Fans - 13.03.2026
'Rudi invites you': Successful premiere with Castro and Kießling
High spirits and previously untold stories: Around 100 Bayer 04 fans packed the Schwadbud fan pub in the east stand of the BayArena on Thursday evening to be there in person for the first instalment of the new series of events entitled “Rudi lädt ein” (Rudi invites you). They listened intently as long-serving Werkself players Gonzalo Castro and Stefan Kießling chatted with record appearance-maker Rüdiger Vollborn and presenter and stadium announcer Tobias Ufer about their many years together at the club, shared amusing anecdotes and revealed dressing room secrets. Anyone who missed the premiere can already look forward to the second instalment – on 12 May, Rudi will be testing the expert knowledge of Bayer 04 fans during a quiz night.
Show more
Women - 13.03.2026
'Match them as equals when it's 11 vs. 11': Women out for revenge at Wolfsburg for reverse fixture defeat
The Bundesliga home game against VfL Wolfsburg in the first half of the season was one of those classic ‘days to forget’ for Bayer 04 Women. It started with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll being shown a red card in the first minute of the game, and following a further sending-off, coach Roberto Pätzold's 9-women side ended up losing 5-1 to last season's runners-up. At 18.30 CET on Sunday, they'll have the chance to exact revenge at the AOK Stadium - and pick up valuable points in the race for third place.
Show more
Bundesliga - 13.03.2026
Our next opponents: Exceptional quality across the whole team
They're well on their way to becoming German champions for the 35th time and once again proved their incredible class in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. This Saturday, 14 March (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayern Munich will be the visitors to the BayArena. It'll be a meeting of the two Bundesliga teams with the most dominant styles of play. A look at our opponents shows the visitors from the Bavarian capital have many strengths - but are also vulnerable.
Show more
