
The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reports a "goal-packed training session" for the Black and Reds. Nadiem Amiri and Lucas Alario put the game "beyond any chance of excitement in no time at all" with the goals to make it 2-0 and 3-0. One young attacker for the Werkself was particularly impressive: "In the middle of all the lively passing and dribbling, it was the 17-year-old Florian Wirtz who was involved in practically every halfway dangerous attack."
The Kölnische Rundschau headline reads: "Leverkusen give nothing away." According to the newspaper, the Black and Reds were "clinical" in the first half hour and went on to play "in overdrive." The report continues: "Even after the shortest period of preparation for all participants on this weekend, Leverkusen did not wobble at any point."
Another journal describes the performance of the Werkself as a "successful afternoon of football." The Rheinische Post sees the goal from new signing Patrik Schick to make it 7-0 as the "icing on the cake" of this clash. Furthermore: "With the efficiency of the first half over the full 90 minutes, the game could have ended with a double-digit win." Nadiem Amiri and Florian Wirtz received the best individual assessments.

According to the Stuttgarter Zeitung, the Werkself, playing against Norderstedt, "did not show any mercy for the fourth-tier visitors in the first 30 minutes." Bayer 04 have reached the next round "thanks to an impressive first half without any problems."

In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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The Werkself return tomorrow, Tuesday 14 July (from 11:00 CEST at the BayArena; live stream on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and YouTube), with new head coach Carles Martínez leading his first training session as part of the Bayer 04 set-up. His coaching team comprises a mix of new and long-standing colleagues.
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The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.
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