Lars Bender sidelined – internationals set to return
During the international break, Peter Bosz gave his players three days off at the end of last week – before starting preparations for the Hoffenheim game with clear minds.
The Werkself clearly enjoyed the short break and shared that with their followers on the various social media channels. Lucas Alario soaked up the sun in Madrid, Dominik Kohr and his wife went on a city trip to London, Joel Pohjanpalo headed for Paris, Rambo Özcan went back home to Austria and Sam Schreck had his picture taken drinking coffee in the sunshine.
Lars Bender Hit by cold
Everybody returned to the training ground yesterday – with the exception of Lars Bender who was sidelined on Monday morning with a cold. Joel Pohjanpalo and Panos Retsos, whose comebacks were a highlight of last Wednesday's friendly against Ajax, both completed the warm-up sessions at the start of the week and, after their first drills with the ball along with their team-mates, they withdrew to a neighbouring pitch for individual training during the more intensive sessions.
Brandt AnD Co. Due back from Wednesday
As a result of international break, the group was below strength for the final open session 04 days before the away game at TSG Hoffenheim (Friday, 20.30 CET). The international players are set to return to Leverkusen over the next few days and, after a day off training on Tuesday, will rejoin the squad for full training on Wednesday and Thursday.
Julian Brandt, Kai Havertz and Jonathan Tah set off back to Leverkusen early on Monday. Julian Baumgartlinger and Aleksandar Dragovic have already landed in Düsseldorf after leaving the Austrian team on a flight from Tel Aviv via Munich. Tin Jedvaj, who was in action for Croatia on Sunday, did not join in training on Monday.
Lukas Hradecky is set to play for Finland on Tuesday (20.45 CET) against Armenia in a European qualifier, Adrian Stanilewicz and the Germany U20s are due to play their counterparts from Poland on Tuesday at 18.00 CET in the Elite League. Both will return to Leverkusen on Wednesday. The final player to return will be Charles Aránguiz on Thursday – after a friendly for Chile against the USA in Houston on Wednesday night (02.00 CET).
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