The 24-year-old Brazilian was on crutches rather than in his football boots at the BayArena as he missed the last open training session on Wednesday morning. Sven Bender (ankle) and keeper Bernd Leno (knee) were in a similar position after picking up knocks in the final game of matchday 29 in Leipzig two days ago. In contrast to Wendell, the duo were able to complete a session in the gym. The medical section said it is too early to say whether or not there is a possibility they will be ruled out for Saturday's home game (14 April, 15.30 CET). "I think the pair of them are tough and they'll be ready for Saturday. It's a bit easier to go beyond the pain barrier now as we're in the busy period of the run-in," said skipper Lars Bender shortly after the match in Leipzig hoping there would be no long-term injuries.
On the plus side, there was positive news on Wednesday for Joel Pohjanpalo who was able to put his boots on again following his ankle injury and return to the training ground just before the end of the team session – three days ahead of the clash with Eintracht Frankfurt he went through a light, half-hour routine on the ball with fitness coach Daniel Jouvin. The medical section said it was a matter of seeing the progress of the Finland striker over the course of the week.
The Werkself have another two training sessions planned this week with both being held behind closed doors.
With three games to play before the end of the season, the Bayer 04 Women can break one record and equal another at SGS Essen. After three wins on the bounce, coach Roberto Pätzold's team are aiming to maintain the chance of third place in Sunday’s away game (14:00 CEST, Stadion an der Hafenstraße).
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Edmond Tapsoba has signed an early extension to his contract with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. With two years left on his current deal, the 27-year-old Burkina Faso international has extended his contract until 30 June 2031. The centre-back joined as a young talent from Portuguese top-flight club Vitoria Guimaraes at the start of 2020.
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A special surprise: during the preview for the 'Fierté Burkinabè' documentary about Edmond Tapsoba, Bayer 04 directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes announced Tapsoba's contract extension until 2031 together with the centre-back. He then spoke to Werkself-TV about his time in Leverkusen so far and future ambitions...
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This evening was deeply moving: At a really special setting, Bayer 04 exclusively presented the specially produced documentary ‘Fierté Burkinabè’ ("Burkinabe Pride") about Edmond Tapsoba on Tuesday. For the preview at the BayArena, the parents of the Werkself player and other close companions travelled all the way from his African homeland Burkina Faso. The 45-minute film shows Tapsoba's extraordinary career from his beginnings in Ouagadougou to Leverkusen as well as the work of his foundation "Fondation Edmond Tapsoba", with representatives from Burkina Faso also present. Fans can watch the documentary free of charge on Werkself TV and YouTube from Wednesday night at 20:00 CEST.
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Bayer 04 have signed left-back Carolin Simon from champions Bayern Munich for the coming season. The 33-year-old former Germany international, who played for Leverkusen from 2013 to 2016, has signed a contract to 30 June 2028.
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