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.
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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