"I was satisfied with our overall performance. We could definitely have scored one our two more goals but we didn't miss as many chances as we did in the other friendlies," said head coach Heiko Herrlich after the game that he sees as part of mid-season break. "And one or two players used the friendly well to show they want to get back in the team."
The boss gave the players involved in Saturday's 4-1 in the Bundesliga away to TSG Hoffenheim two days off. Today saw the start of the build-up to the next challenge for the Werkself in Sunday's home fixture against Mainz 05 (28 January 15.30 CET): While the coaching staff held a light training session for the starting eleven from the Hoffenheim game, the rest of the squad lined up against the Regional League outfit from Oberhausen at the neighbouring Ulrich Haberland Stadium. "Nothing in training has the same intensity as a match over 90 minutes. And playing against 'real' opponents is completely different from eleven a side in training or other drills," said Herrlich after the fourth friendly in January before adding: "All 20 outfield players have now had the chance to play three full games over the past three weeks. The running and workmate against Hoffenheim shows we've done the right thing."
MATCH PRACTICE FOR U19s
From the kick-off, the Herrlich team captained by Stefan Kießling looked like they were in a somewhat more intensive training session as they pressed Oberhausen. Dominik Kohr produced the reward for the attacking approach of the Black and Reds when he netted from close range on 11 minutes after Stefan Kießling headed on a cross from U19 player Jakub Bednarczyk. On the half-hour Mark, Karim Bellarabi rounded off a great solo run with a well-placed low drive into the back of the net to double the lead. There were no more goals before half-time.
The seventh-placed team from the Regional League West, who resume their league campaign in the middle of February, shuffled the pack at the break and they succeeded in creating a number of chances after the restart. Apart from the consolation strike from substitute Rafael Garcia making it 2-1 on 81 minutes, the visitors were unable to convert any other chances in front of 350 supporters. In the closing stages, the U19 player Güven Yalcin came off the bench to round off the scoring at 3-1 on 89 minutes. nn mit dem 3:1 für die Werkself letztlich den Deckel drauf (89.). "It's clear you can never reach the same intensity in a friendly as you can in the Bundesliga. But we see it as a step-up on training, said Herrlich.
In addition to goalscorer Yalcin, the head coach also gave Bayer 04 U19 players Sam Schreck, Marius Samoura und Atakan Akkaynak time on the pitch. He was unable to call on Vladen Yurchenko as he is still recovering from a foot injury. Marlon Frey was also sidelined due to a stomach problem.
Bayer 04: Özcan – Kuba, Jedvaj, Retsos, Henrichs – Bellarabi, Kohr (79. Samoura 79'), Havertz (Schreck 71'), Mehmedi (Akkaynak 84') – Kießling, Pohjanpalo (Yalcin 84')
As with the other youth teams (U16 to U19), Bayer 04 are also relying on familiar faces—some in new roles—and fresh impetus from the coaching staff for the 2026/27 season in the younger age groups. An overview of the U11 to U15 teams.
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After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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As well as internal changes and familiar faces, Bayer 04 are also looking to bring fresh impetus to the coaching staff of the senior youth squads for the 2026/27 campaign. Here is an overview of the U19, U17 and U16 teams.
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Bayer 04 have signed 16-year-old defensive midfielder Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha Berlin. The Germany U17 international is joining the Werkself from the Berlin Bundesliga 2 club on a long-term contract. Eichhorn made 19 appearances for the Hertha Berlin first team last season, scoring two goals.
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