Today there was another intensive session: As on every Tuesday, it was once again the hardest session of the week with the focus on fitness training. After a practice match of 11 v 11, where the head coach Peter Bosz and his assistants continued to explain and correct things during the breaks, the players left the pitch exhausted. Mitchell Weiser was also back on the turf today – he trained on his own following his metatarsal injury. There is no training session planned for Wednesday but Thursday and Friday will see the final preparations for the league opener at the BayArena against SC Paderborn – behind closed doors. Tickets are still available for Saturday’s game against the Bundesliga newcomers.
Exactly two weeks ago today, Bayer 04 signed Nadiem Amiri – and Peter Bosz opted to play the 22-year-old from the start in last Saturday’s DFB Cup tie at Alemannia Aachen. "That came as a bit of surprise and is not necessarily usual when you've only been at a new club for two weeks. I thank the coach for his confidence in me," said Amiri. The U21 international is in very positive mood after the first two weeks in Leverkusen: "I've been really well received and I feel very good here. Unfortunately I'm still in a hotel – and when I finally find somewhere to live then I’ll feel even better." He still has to celebrate his new post as he admitted. Traditionally, new signings have to sing to the team-mates – "perhaps I'll sing something romantic," said Amiri with a smile. Our new signing will shortly be giving an interview to Bayer 04 TV.
Bad news from the Bayer 04 U19s: Samed Onur, who completed a lot of sessions with the Werkself during the pre-season and also played in the friendlies suffered a torn cruciate in last Saturday’s league opener for the U19's at Victoria Koeln. The 17-year-old faces an operation and then a long stretch on the sidelines. "I'll do all I can in rehab and then I’ll give 100 per cent again," said Onur.
The Werkself went through to the second round of the DFB Cup with the win against Alemannia Aachen on Saturday – the last clubs completed their first round ties yesterday. Who the Werkself will meet in the second round and whether Bayer 04 might be drawn at home will be decided on Sunday. The draw will be made from 18.00 CET during the ARD Sportschau TV programme. It will be held at the German Football Museum in Dortmund with the Germany U21 coach Stefan Kuntz and former international Christoph Metzelder making the draw.
The Bayer 04 women’s team secured a win in the friendly during the international break. Without a total of eight international players, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team defeated Bundesliga 2 side Borussia Mönchengladbach 3–1 at the Kurtekotten Training Centre, thanks to goals from Lobke Loonen (1’, penalty), Caroline Kehrer (41') and Valentina Mädl (66').
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Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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During the first international break of the 2026/27 season, set to last just under three weeks, nine Bayer 04 first-team players are in action with their respective national teams. Read on for updates on matches featuring Werkself players…
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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