The 90-minute training session for the Werkself squad started punctually at 10.30 CEST. Amongst the players present was Granit Xhaka, who joined Leverkusen from Premier League runners-up Arsenal at the start of July, and now on the training ground with his new teammates for the first time.
The first training session for the 30-year-old Switzerland international was again watched by a large number of Bayer 04 fans. They saw several players from the youth teams who completed stretching and coordination drills as well as finishing practice together with Xhaka and Co.
There was a small surprise towards the end of the training session: Robert Andrich, who is currently completing rehab at the Werkstatt in the BayArena, joined his teammates as a spectator in the final minutes of training.
Xhaka, who completed an individual running session with fitness coach Ismael Camenforte Lopez
after the session, was one of the last to leave the pitch – and, of course, he was very much in demand with the fans for photos and autographs.
Many of the supporters, as usual, had shorts, rucksacks and shirts – including the new Werkself home shirt for the 2023/24 season – signed. The new home shirt went on sale this week. If you want to get the new shirt: HERE is the online shop.
After Xhaka has now started full training and got to know the squad, the Switzerland international will face his first press conference since his move to Leverkusen on Friday 14 July when he will talk about his first impressions at Bayer 04. The statements of the 30-year-old midfielder will be available on the Bayer 04 club channels afterwards.
Bayer 04 have fond memories of their encounters with Heidenheim, including a resounding 6-0 win in the reverse fixture. Kasper Hjulmand’s side would very much like to produce a similarly clinical display as they now head to the Voith-Arena for Matchday 27 on Saturday (15:30 CET). But they come up against a team fighting for their Bundesliga lives at the bottom of the table, 10 points adrift of safety with time running out. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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The Bayer 04 Women welcome FC Carl Zeiss Jena to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Sunday night in a white retro look - and in a unique Bayer 04 ‘50 Years of Fan Clubs’ special edition jersey. In sporting terms, head coach Roberto Pätzold's team will face the Bundesliga's bottom team at 18:30 CET looking to keep their chances of third place in the table alive with six games left to play.
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Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action this weekend. Following their elimination in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, the Werkself are away to FC Heidenheim 1846 on Saturday, 21 March (kick-off: 15:30 CET) on Bundesliga matchday 27. Ahead of the clash in the eastern Swabian Alps, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the importance of the fixture and the chances of qualifying for the Champions League next term.
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A quick look at the table shows the situation at FC Heidenheim is serious. The Bundesliga bottom club are already ten points behind the play-off spot with their backs to the wall in sporting terms. With eight games left to play, avoiding relegation appears to be a mission impossible. Nevertheless, they are far from flying the white flag at the Schlossberg ahead of the clash with the Werkself this Saturday, 21 March (kick-off: 15:30 CET). The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without the two strikers in the immediate future. Caroline Kehrer suffered a torn ligament in her right knee and Amy Wrigge tore her cruciate ligament.
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