After two and a half weeks training at home following individual plans and the start of working in small groups at the BayArena on 1 April, the head coach welcomed his team back as a group to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. With the exception of Kevin Volland, who is in rehab training following an ankle injury, all the first-team players were back on the pitch.
The Werkself now have just over a week to prepare for the first game away to Werder Bremen on Monday 18 May with a 20.30 CET kick-off. Over the next few days it will be about getting back up to speed as quickly as possible and, above all, to gather strength for the busy fixture programme facing the teams in the Bundesliga.
"It feels good to be able to complete a normal full training session. And these sessions are important to get back in a competitive frame of mind," said Jonathan Tah. "I welcome the fact the games are starting again next week. Now we have a concrete target we can work to. Excitement is increasing and motivation is high."
The Germany international is not yet ready to talk about normality. "We're tested regularly. And we answer questions on our state of health every morning. And the regulations relating to hygiene and distancing our ever-present. We're very aware that it's a special situation and that we carry a special responsibility as professional footballers. The politicians have given us the privilege of being able to complete the season. We have to, and want to, justify that through discipline and level-headed behaviour."
Images from today's full training session:
The Werkself visit TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday, 14 September (kick-off: 15.30 CEST). The Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team has all the info you need for the match at the PreZero Arena in Sinsheim...
Show moreSchlebusch is the first district of Leverkusen to enjoy its own themed matchday in the new season. The fixture that Bayer 04 would like to use for this is the home clash against newly promoted Holstein Kiel on Bundesliga Matchday 6 (5 October, 3.30pm CEST). Find out more about the planned events in Schlebusch here.
Show moreThe Werkself entertain top Italian club AC Milan at the BayArena in the first home game in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25. The game on UCL matchday two is on Tuesday, 1 October (kick-off: 21.00 CEST). The latest information on ticket sales for this match.
Show moreThe Bayer 04 Women's team are in the Round of 16 of the DFB Pokal. The team led by coach Roberto Pätzold beat Regional League Karlsruher SC 2-0 on Sunday afternoon. A strike by Kristin Kögel (24') and an own goal from Neele Beck (72') secured a well-deserved victory for the visitors.
Show more