The in part highly intensive tests such of spirogeometry did nothing to spoil the good mood. The first group of Werkself players including Jonathan Tah and Nadiem Amiri arrived at the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehab and training centre at the BayArena, on Monday morning. They all completed a range of medical tests as well as coordination, mobility and stability checks.
Alejandro Grimaldo, Arthur and Gustavo Puerta also came to the BayArena over the course of Monday morning. The new signings were clearly happy and full of determination. The rest of the players including Jeremie Frimpong and young player Noah Mbamba arrived in the afternoon. Robert Andrich was also with the group. The 28-year-old midfielder has been working on his comeback after a metatarsal fracture in his left foot in the Werkstatt for the last couple of weeks.
The players recently on international duty were missing including goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky
Head coach Xabi Alonso will hold his first training session on Tuesday morning. The open session begins at 10.00 CEST.
The sessions on Wednesday (10.00 CEST), Thursday (10.30 CEST) and Friday (10.00 CEST) are also open to fans of the Black and Reds subject to late changes.
A disciplined defensive performance in the second leg saw Bayer 04 prevail against Olympiacos in the play-offs of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26. Thanks to the 2-0 away win in the first leg, the goalless draw at home at the BayArena was enough to ensure progress to the next round. The Black and Reds kept their opponents away from their goal for the best part of 90 minutes.
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Bayer 04 can go through to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the ninth time tonight, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET) and be in the top 16 clubs in Europe. A good omen: Leverkusen have progressed to the next round after winning the first leg in 20 of their 22 knockout rounds in European competitions to date. For their part, Greek record champions Olympiacos rested several players for last weekend’s league fixture ahead of the play-off second leg at the BayArena and will now do everything in their power to turn the tide with their usual aggressive and high pressing. The discussions on Werkself radio are likely to be just as intense as the battle on the pitch, with commentator Florian Bechholz welcoming honorary captain Stefan Kießling and goalkeeper Mark Flekken. Today’s matchday news.
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With the advantage of the 2-0 first-leg win in the play-offs, the Werkself are looking to book their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League at the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the home game against Olympiacos on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand and goalkeeper Janis Blaswich spoke about the position ahead of the match, the visitors' strength at set-pieces and a personnel issue for the home side.
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With a win in the Greek Super League last weekend, Olympiacos achieved success on the pitch ahead of the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg at Bayer 04 on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET). Coach José Luis Mendilibar rested many of his regular starters.
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