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
Werkself-TV - 12.01.2026
Hjulmand ahead of #HSVB04: ‘Don't panic, stay calm and optimistic’
The Werkself are away to Hamburg SV at the end of the Hinrunde in the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. The match at the newly promoted club is on Tuesday night, 13 January (kick-off: 20:30 CET). Ahead of the first encounter with HSV since 2018, Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the strengths of the opponents, lessons learnt from the home defeat against VfB Stuttgart and provided a squad update.
Show more
Women - 11.01.2026
Algarve sunshine instead of sub-zero temperatures: Bayer 04 Women start winter training camp
In Germany, the temperatures are currently around zero, leaving even professional footballers freezing - but not the Bayer 04 Women. Roberto Pätzold's team have fled the cold to the south and are preparing for the second half of the season at a training camp in the Algarve, almost 2,000 kilometres away from home as the crow flies. The Leverkusen squad landed in Faro on Saturday morning and have already completed the first three training sessions over the weekend.
Show more
Bundesliga - 11.01.2026
Werkself review #B04VfB: Honest words and looking ahead
It was a disappointing Saturday night. The Werkself lost 4-1 to VfB Stuttgart to start the new year on Bundesliga matchday 16 in 2025/26, a result that left both players and fans disappointed. "We played without any passion," said Alejandro Grimaldo honestly afterwards. Teammate Jarell Quansah was even more self-critical, emphasising: "We were miles off it in the first half. You can't put in a performance like that, especially in front of our own fans and I can only apologise to them, to be honest." Read on for the reaction, facts and stats from the clash with VfB Stuttgart in the Werkself review.
Show more
Women - 11.01.2026
Paulina Bartz joins Hamburg SV on loan
Women’s team forward Paulina Bartz is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to play for Hamburg SV until the end of the season. The 20-year-old, whose contract runs to 2027, joins the Bundesliga newcomers on loan until the summer.
Show more
