Baumgartlinger came onto the pitch 20 minutes after his team-mates to work with the ball for the first time since his knee injury in the DFB Cup game against Pforzheim. "He's making great progress in his recovery. I hope Julian will be available again after the international break," said Heiko Herrlich. Retsos followed after the official training session was over.
The day after the 2-1 victory in the derby in Düsseldorf, head coach Heiko Herrlich sent the starting eleven on a regenerative bike ride along the Dhünn under the eyes of fitness coach Schahriar Bigdeli – accordingly, the training group consisted of just seven outfield players (Lucas Alario, Jakub Bednarczyk, Karim Bellarabi, Julian Brandt, Aleksandar Dragovic, Paulinho and Sam Schreck) plus three goalkeepers (Ramazan Özcan, Thorsten Kirschbaum, Tomasz Kusz).
Only Mitchell Weiser had a lighter session on Thursday. "Mitchell had slight problems with his groin before yesterday's game and they hadn't got better by today," said Herrlich, who is hoping the 24-year-old will be fit for the forthcoming game against Borussia Dortmund and that no more of his players get injured giving the current personnel situation.
Bayer 04 Women host Bayern Munich at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion on Saturday (kick-off: 12pm CEST) facing a familiar scenario. The visitors have the chance to be crowned champions in the Google Pixel Bundesliga, just like then they last came to Leverkusen 12 months ago. A goalless draw on that occasion saw Robert de Pauw’s side delay the title celebrations, and they want to do the same again with three games to go.
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Only a few hours after the Werkself’s 2-0 win away at Roma in the UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg, attentions turned to the next game as Bayer 04 visit Eintracht Frankfurt for Bundesliga Matchday 32 on Sunday (kick-off: 5.30pm CEST). Speaking at his press conference in Rome shortly before returning to Leverkusen on Friday morning, head coach Xabi Alonso talked about the strengths of six-placed Frankfurt and how the team will handle his touchline suspension.
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On 25 May, the Werkself have the chance to follow up their Bundesliga title by winning the DFB Cup. The many travelling Bayer 04 fan are set to provide the necessary support for the clash against 1. FC Kaiserslautern. So that as many of you as possible can create an unforgettable atmosphere on the day, the Bayer 04 Club is offering travel for all holders of a ticket for the cup final. Supporters without a valid ticket are not entitled to apply for a place on the special train.
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Listen up, Black-and-Red fans: on 24 May, the night before the DFB Cup final between the Werkself and 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Bayer 04 is holding a big club party in the heart of Berlin. Tickets go on sale on Friday 3 May at 12:00 CEST. Full details.
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