In addition to the internal and orthopaedic tests, that were carried out in part on Monday, 17 players (split into groups of three) and excluding the international players, completed a range of tests on strength, coordination, movement, balance, acceleration and stamina. "With the help of the data, we produce an individual profile for each player to see exactly where the particular strengths, weaknesses or performance limiting factors are," explained Malte Krüger, the head sports scientist at Bayer 04. The data acquired primarily serves to optimise the training programme over the course of the pre-season. "That means the players can work in a targeted and individual way with our fitness coaches Schahriar Bigdeli, Terry Peters and Daniel Jouvin to endeavour to make up deficits or to reduce the risk of injury – without the daily training on the pitch having to suffer," added Krüger.
Of course, the aim is to be as well prepared as possible for the three competitions facing the Werkself of the Bundesliga, the Champions League and the DFB Cup. "We want to keep all players fit and healthy through the season and make sure they are fully fit when the busy weeks start," said Krüger.
Kai Havertz, Lukas Hradecky, Aleksandar Dragovic, Tin Jedvaj and Paulinho, who were given extra leave due to their international appearances at the beginning of June, will complete the performance tests on Sunday.
With sixth place at the end of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign, Bayer 04 ended a season in the top third of the table for the ninth time in a row. While the Werkself were narrowly eliminated in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 by eventual finalists Arsenal, the Black and Reds reached the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal for the third season in succession. As in previous years, you once again have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app up to and including 11 June.
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With 46 points in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga, the Bayer 04 Women’s team once again broke the previous season's club record and ended up in fifth place - 15 wins is also a record. As in previous years, you now have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is open exclusively to Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app by 11 June.
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The guests at the Scala Club in Leverkusen were amazed when host Reiner Calmund suddenly brought the Managing Director of Sport at Bayer 04, Simon Rolfes, and record Werkself appearance maker Rüdiger Vollborn onto the stage. As part of the show "An Evening with Football & Friends", organised by long-serving Bayer 04 managing director and general manager Calmund, the two surprise guests drew plenty of applause - and provided great entertainment in exciting conversations about the past and future.
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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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