
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.

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 0-1 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt on the 17th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Bayer 04 have a score to settle with Borussia Mönchengladbach after their late equaliser in the reverse fixture. But it’s been a while since the points were shared in this fixture at Borussia-Park, where the Werkself have won their last six visits – their best run ever away at a team in the Bundesliga. Victory in Saturday evening’s game (18:30 CET) would also be the team’s fifth in a row in all competitions and their best run this season, while Gladbach are only just above the bottom three after going four games without a win. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the evening’s encounter in our matchday news.
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After just two points from their last four games, the situation has become trickier for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the bottom third of the table. Only three points separate the Foals from the relegation play-off spot. Coach Eugen Polanski's team is under pressure ahead of the home game against the Werkself on Saturday, 7 February (kick-off: 18:30 CET). The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Ahead of the Bundesliga match at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday, 7 February (kick-off: 18:30 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the strengths of the ‘Foals’ and a new player in his own ranks.
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