Werkself trio sidelined
Head coach Peter Bosz will have to manage without three players in the final phase of the pre-season. Joel Pohjanpalo, Mitchell Weiser and Lars Bender will be unavailable for different lengths of time.
A minor setback for Joel Pohjanpalo: The Finnish striker is sidelined for a couple of weeks due to a reaction in his right ankle. In the friendly against SD Eibar at the training camp in Zell am See, Pohjanpalo went off injured after a challenge and he was unable to take part in full training. As the situation has not improved in recent days, in spite of a break, the medical department at Bayer 04 have agreed in discussion with the player and the club to take him out of training the moment.
Mitchell Weiser also faces complete rest. The right back was kicked in the friendly against Heracles Almelo last Sunday and he was substituted on 24 minutes. A check-up revealed painful bruising on the sole of his foot and his metatarsal. The 25-year-old has to wear a special boot for a couple of days and will then take up a one-to-one training programme.
Lars Bender faces a shorter time on the sidelines. The Werkself captain suffered a slight strain in his right thigh in last Sunday's friendly against Vitesse Arnhem (28 July). He played to the end of the half but was replaced at the break by Cem Türkmen. The 30-year-old will be training on his own for a week or so.
Related News
Bayer 04 - 09.06.2026
New seating for the BayArena - donation and reuse of existing seats
A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 08.06.2026
Bayer 04 presents new Campus plans to Monheim residents
On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 08.06.2026
Culbreath in Germany squad for U19 Euros - Onyeka also called up
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 08.06.2026
Tillman most recent in list of distinguished U.S. players at Bayer 04
When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
Show more
DFB-Pokal - 06.06.2026
DFB Pokal 2026/27: Bayer 04 face Wehen Wiesbaden in first round
Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
Show more
