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.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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