"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')
In the first episode of the new interview series "A New Chapter", Werkself defender Jarell Quansah reflects on his first few months under the Cross and speaks about his journey from England to Leverkusen. Having come through the ranks at Liverpool, a new chapter began for Quansah in the summer at Bayer 04 — with new objectives, fresh challenges and much ambition. In the video, the centre-back speaks about his development as a player and person, about the courage to leave your own comfort zone, and about what it means for him to be part of an international team in a different country. Honest, reflective and full of motivation — just like the start of his Werkself career.
Show more
Full focus on Hoffenheim: after the late postponement of the away match at Hamburger SV, the Werkself are looking forward. To get themselves in top shape for the key clash at top-six rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday 17 January (kick-off 15:30 CET), a number of players showed full commitment even on a day off - including two AFCON returnees...
Show more
After Rio de Janeiro, it's off to Thuringia: This summer, Bayer 04 Leverkusen will prepare for the 2026/27 football season in Germany. While Brazil was the destination last year, the Werkself will now set up their training camp in Blankenhain, just outside Erfurt, from 1 to 7 August 2026.
Show more
Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...
Show more
Due to the last-minute postponement of the Bundesliga match between Hamburg and the Werkself on Tuesday, 13 January, Bayer 04 will reimburse the ticket price to all 3,500 fans who had already travelled to Hamburg as a sign of appreciation. The tickets remain valid for the rescheduled match (date not yet set).
Show more
