On training ground number one at the BayArena, Alonso greeted the Werkself squad plus eight outfield players and three goalkeepers from the youth teams. The Spanish head coach had to manage without the players recently away on international duty in Amine Adli, Sardar Azmoun, Adam Hlozek, Lukas Hradecky, Exequiel Palacios, Patrick Pentz, Edmond Tapsoba and Florian Wirtz as well as the two new signings Jonas Hofmann and Granit Xhaka.
"Jonas and Granit have a huge amount of experience and are important components we need for our team," said sporting managing director Simon Rolfes in response to a question after training about the two recently signed midfielders.
The injured players Patrik Schick, Robert Andrich, Piero Hincapie and goalkeeper Niklas Lomb also missed the opening session (see Werkself injury update). Odilon Kossounou, who missed the run-in at the end of last season with a thigh injury, did return for the start of preseason to complete parts of full training.
The action on the pitch started at 10.00 CEST. The 90-minute session started with a warm-up routine followed by passing practice. Several hundred fans came, including the children at the Bayer 04 Soccer School, to watch the Leverkusen players at their first session of the new season. The highlight came after training session: selfies and group photos with the players plus autographs on shirts, rucksacks, trousers and elsewhere.
Anybody attending tomorrow's open training session on Wednesday 12 July has the opportunity to secure the new Bayer 04 home shirt for the coming season. This is available from 10.00 CEST from the fan shop at the BayArena and following training Bayer 04 fans can have their new shirts signed by Werkself players.
The Norway U23 international Julie Jorde has completed the move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Brøndby IF. The twelve-time champions of Denmark have signed the midfielder on permanent terms after her loan move from the Bundesliga to Denmark in the winter.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the Senegalese central defender Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old joins the Bundesliga side from Swedish top-flight club BK Häcken. Faye has penned a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2030.
Show moreThe German Football League (DFL) has published the fixture list for the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. Bayer 04 start the new season with a home game against TSG Hoffenheim. The first away game for the Werkself is at Werder Bremen. The final Bundesliga fixture is on 16 May 2026 against newly promoted Hamburg SV with a 15:30 CEST kick-off at the BayArena.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have given offensive player Paulina Bartz a long-term contract. The 20-year-old has penned a new deal to 30 June 2027.
Show moreGermany international Florian Wirtz has been voted Bayer 04 ‘Player of the Season’ for the second time in a row. The 21-year-old, who will play for Premier League champions Liverpool next season, received more than half of all votes cast in the annual poll organised by Bayer 04.
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