Werkself full of beans on the training ground

Brilliant weather for starters: The Werkself began the pre-season on the training ground in fantastic sunshine. After the not necessarily  popular performance tests, head coach Heiko Herrlich led the first session on the pitch with his players on Saturday. The results of the  medical tests of the past two days met with the approval of the coach. "The results of the tests show an improvement on last year. Everybody followed their exercise programme during the summer break and we're in a good position for the challenges facing us," said Herrlich.

Aránguiz MISsES OUT

 Charles Aránguiz was missing as were Tin Jedvaj, who is in the Croatia squad for tonight's World Cup quarter final against Russia, Julian Brandt, Jonathan Tah, Julian Baumgartlinger, Aleksandar Dragovic (all on extended leave) plus new signing Paulinho (expected after his eighteenth birthday in the middle of July). "He's had a few minor problems with his knee for a while so we have to be careful and be cautious. He won't do the bike ride but instead undergo treatment here," said Herrlich in relation to the Chilean. Wendell ended the session earlier than his team-mates – and the management stuck to the same approach: Don't take any risks at the start of the pre-season.

Havertz with plenty of precision

The other players clearly enjoyed the 90-minute session with technical drills on finishing to the fore and were happy to be back on the ball with their team-mates – eagerly observed by about 200 fans who made sure they did not miss the first Werkself public appearance in  the 2018/19 . And sporting director Jonas Boldt and the new video analyst Marcel Daum also took a keen interest in proceedings. The top performer was Kai Havertz.

The U19 players Tomasz Kucz, Jakub Bednarczyk, Sam Schreck and Chinedu Ekene were among the 16 outfield players and four goalkeepers   on the training ground and they will be part of the Werkself first team squad in the coming campaign. The two keepers Lukas Hradecky and Thorsten Kirschbaum made their first appearance in a Bayer 04 shirt as did Mitchell Weiser, new signing from Hertha Berlin, with all three obviously the focus of attention fur autographs and selfies. "I've been really well received here and they're a great group," said Weiser after his first days with the Werkself.

ON YOUR BIKES FROM TOMORROW

Following the session on Saturday, the Werkself head to Bad Bertrich in the southern part of the Eifel, where the three-day bike ride starts on Sunday morning. The trip involves three stages via Koblenz and Bonn before returning to the BayArena. "It's not crossing the Alps but it will be a good workout," declared the Bayer 04 coach, who believes in the merit of the bike ride as it spares the players'joints.

The next open training session for the Werkself is on Friday at 16.00 CET.