Live blog: Werkself away at Atletico Madrid

+++22 January, 12.17 CET+++

A quick dip under the shower then straight off to the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, which is less than ten minutes away. The team flight takes off at 13.45 CET. That ends our last travel blog in the first league phase in the history of the Champions League. The Werkself are at home to Sparta Prague next Wednesday on UCL Matchday 8 the kick off at 21.00 CET. Before that the focus is on the Bundesliga away game at RB Leipzig on Saturday (kick-off: 15.30 CET). Until then, take care!

+++22 January, 12.06 CET+++

The session on the very big training ground at Real Madrid is over and that completes the sporting part of the day. Nine outfield players plus the goalkeeping duo of Lukas Hradecky and Niklas Lomb worked on the pitch with the other players in the gym. Robert Andrich, Victor Boniface and Co. did some stamina drills first followed by passing in tight spaces and a couple of sprints. Finally there was a practice match on a reduced size pitch with lots of shots on goal.

+++22 January, 08.34 CET+++

Good morning from Madrid. The night was short, the last-minute defeat has not been digested yet. And nevertheless we look forward once again! Saturday brings the next away game in Leipzig. For the Werkself, communal breakfast today is followed first by a first training session at Real Madrid and then the return journey to Leverkusen. We will be with you again today as usual. See you later!

+++21 January, 19.04 CET+++

In less than two hours, the Champions League clash here at the Metropolitano will be under way! While the Werkself have just set off on the team bus, a large number of Bayer 04 fans have gathered at a meeting point for a march to the stadium. In good spirits despite the constant rain - that's devotion! A great sight. We'll be back with the match report...

+++21 January, 16.00 CET+++

Excitement is slowly building! It's still rainy and overcast here in Madrid today, with fog hanging over the city. It's time for the team to have a pre-match meal together and then it's not that long before they set off for the Estadio Metropolitano. Five hours to go to kick-off!

+++21 January, 14.01 CET+++

While the activation was going on this morning, Bayer 04 used the time in the city to visit the German School in Madrid once again. Together with more than 30 schoolchildren, the delegation completed a short training session on the state-of-the-art facilities of the school, which was founded in 2018. Matthias Adler, head of fans and social affairs at Bayer 04: "For us, connections like this are incredibly valuable. The work here at the German School is impressive. We're delighted that we can also make a difference beyond Leverkusen and Germany with our football, but above all with our strategic work, and that we may even have converted the next couple of Bayer 04 fans here today." Read the full article here!

+++21 January, 13.45 CET+++

Good news from back home: Martin Terrier has been successfullu operated on after the achilles tendon tear he suffered at the weekend. The operation, carried out on Monday by Dr. André Morawe in Cologne, passed off without complications. Terrier, who sustained the injury in the early stages of the 3-1 Bundesliga win over Borussia Mönchengladbach, will leave the hospital tomorrow and begin his rehab in Leverkusen next Monday.

+++21 January, 13.09 CET+++

As usual on the day of a Champions League away match, the Werkself held a gentle activation session at the team hotel in the morning. After a few stretching exercises, there were several rounds of football tennis, which were played with a lot of fun but also determination.

+++21 January, 10.44 CET+++

Before we bring you a few glimpses of the Werkself's activation, let's take a closer look at today's venue: the Estadio Metropolitano has been home to Atletico Madrid since 2017. The arena can now hold more than 70,000 spectators. The stadium was opened in 1994, back then under the name Estadio de la Comunidad Madrid, for the annual athletics meeting. It was temporarily closed in 2004 but with the aim of building an Olympic stadium for the 2012, 2016 or 2020 Summer Games on the existing foundation - however, Madrid did not manage to bring the Olympics to the city.

Atletico were the winners from the unsuccessful bid. The football-only stadium was completed in 2017. In addition to concerts, major sporting events aside from Atletico can also be enjoyed here. Two years after its opening, the stadium already hosted the Champions League final, and in 2030 the Estadio Metropolitano could also become a venue for the World Cup; the list of candidates includes the city's two major stadiums. For now, though, it's set for the UCL clash between Atletico and Bayer 04...

+++21 January, 9.30 CET+++

In the build-up for tonight, we spoke to honorary club captain Stefan Kießling about previous encounters with Atletico. Suffice to say, it's a fixture that always provides high intensity and drama. But read for yourself...

+++20 January, 20.02 CET+++

Immediately after the press conference Alejandro Grimaldo shared his thoughts with Werkself TV. The Spain international was in confident mood ahead of tomorrow’s game and highlighted the positive frame of mind of the German double winners. Listen in...

+++20 January, 19.34 CET+++

The press conference is on - and, at the start, Xabi Alonso gave an important update on Victor Boniface who last played at the beginning of November: “Victor felt good in the final training session this afternoon. He has travelled with us and he will be in the squad tomorrow.”

+++20 January, 19.13 CET+++

Before the press conference with Xabi Alonso and Alejandro Grimaldo starts, we take a brief look and a statement from Atletico coach Diego Simeone me, who has paid great respect to the Werkself ahead of the match: "They are a wonderful team, one of the best in Europe. We are expecting a very difficult game."

+++20 January, 18.31 CET+++

¡Hola, Madrid! The Bayer 04 group has landed on time at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. The weather in Spain's capital? Cold and wet, cloudy. But that cannot diminish the excitement ahead of tomorrow's Champions League clash. For the majority the Werkself it is off to the team hotel for an evening meal while Xabi Alonso and Alejandro Grimaldo go to the pre-match Press conference at the Estadio Metropolitano.

+++20 January, 15.32 CET+++

Ready for departure! The Bayer 04 group - as usual in the Champions League in smart Lerros gear - is buckled up, the pilots are ready for take-off. The team charter flight PVG3992 will take about two hours and land at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. Until then!

+++20 January, 12.51 CET+++

At least as far as the open session is concerned. In the first 15 minutes on the pitch at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, the excitement of the Werkself players ahead of the first Champions League night in the new year was clearly visible in spite of icy temperatures. In great spirits, they completed the warm-up and passing drills. Good news: Victor Boniface was there and he will join the trip to Madrid with his teammates.

+++20 January, 12.37 CET+++

Speaking at the final training session at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, the director of professional teams Thomas Eichin answered questions from the media: "Playing against Atletico is always difficult. They are in a good position in the table as we are. So it is a very important game. We could leave a gap to them with a win," said the 58- year-old: "Our team has long been back on top form after a few problems at the start. It's difficult to beat us. We are ready for this opponent of a top European level."

+++20 January, 10.21 CET+++

Dear travelling Bayer 04 fans: All the information you need on site in Madrid can be found HERE in the fan information. Do you need a couple of tips for your free time in the capital? No problem! 😉👇

TRAVEL TIPS

++20 January, 09.04 CET+++

Good morning from Leverkusen! The working day for the Werkself starts with the final training session at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium at 12.30 CET with the first 15 minutes open to the media and also live in the club's YouTube channel. There will be a communal meal in the BayArena after that. The Bayer 04 group will fly out from Cologne to the Spanish capital in the afternoon. Xabi Alonso and the Spain international Alejandro Grimaldo will go straight to the pre-match press conference at the Estadio Metropolitano after landing in Spain. A busy programme – and we will obviously keep you up to date.