The Mexico striker took time out to pose for photos with the waiting fans and sign autographs as the squad stepped onto the training ground for the first session just after eleven o’clock. The Werkself had a busy day with an hour-long fitness session in the gym prior to putting theory into practice on pitch number one at the BayArena.
In glorious sunshine and a very pleasant 29 degrees Lars Bender, Karim Bellarabi, Wendell and Co. were led through through a range of drills and runs by fitness coach Oliver Bartlett.
Stefan Kießling and Ömer Toprak completed individual sessions at the BayArena in the morning. When the ball came into play in the afternoon the duo joined in with the rest of the squad on the training ground for an intense work-out (sprints, passing and a long game).
The demanding training programme involves four training sessions ahead of a third friendly against TUS Koblenz on Friday night (18.30 CET).
Chicharito is expected to be followed back to Leverkusen in the next few days by Hakan Calhanoglu, Julian Baumgartlinger, Rambo Özcan, Admir Mehmedi and Tin Jedvaj. Copa America winner Charles Aránguiz returns to training on Monday. Bernd Leno and Jonathan Tah will rejoin their team-mates at the training camp at the end of next week.
This afternoon, Saturday 24 January (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayer 04 host SV Werder Bremen, who are winless in their last seven league games. Nevertheless, in their last outing, a 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, where they conceded a late equaliser, the Green and Whites did show their team spirit. The Werkself, led by birthday boy Patrik Schick, will be looking to counter this and secure their first three points of the new year on this ‘!Never Again’ remembrance matchday to commemorate the victims of National Socialism. Read on for the latest information in today's matchday news.
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Happy birthday, Patrik Schick! On his special day, it's not just the Czech striker who can look forward to lots of presents and hopefully many more goals – Bayer 04 fans can also get their hands on a free number 14 print when they buy a Werkself jersey today, January 24! In addition, a match-worn jersey belonging to the now 30-year-old will be raffled off among all purchasers next week.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win at 1. FC Union Berlin on the 15th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Despite a severely depleted squad and being a player down, the Bayer 04 Women made a winning start to their 2026 campaign. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 2-1 at newly promoted FC Union Berlin on Friday night thanks to a last-minute goal. Vanessa Fudalla scored from a direct free-kick (78') and Kristin Kögel (90+2’) in stoppage time for the Werkself, who were reduced to ten players on 68 minutes, on an atmospheric stage at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. As a result, the Black and Reds are now fifth in the table for at least one night at the start of matchday 15.
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The Werkself are looking for the first win of the new calendar year: Ahead of the sold-out Bundesliga home match against SV Werder Bremen on Saturday, 24 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET), head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about taking chances, possible winter transfers and a “Lion" returning to the Leverkusen matchday squad.
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