All the camp participants start the day at nine in the morning with a healthy breakfast, followed by the first training session. The second session starts after lunch at two in the afternoon.
There was a highlight for the kids on Tuesday afternoon with a very special press conference. The youngsters waited in the press room for a Werkself pro to field their questions - but who would it be? They were told the player had just had his birthday and the kids produced the right answers: Karim Bellarabi. There was much excitement and he was greeted with a serenade. Karim spent an hour answering a wide range of questions.
"Why did you become a footballer," was the first question. "I always dreamt of becoming a professional player. I played football all the time as a kid just like you are now," recalled Bellarabi. And "who 's your favourite opponents?", the kids wanted to know. "Barcelona when I 'd just turned 18 years old. We did lose heavily but It's a game I'll never forget," replied Karim as he went on to talk about his favourite players, his injuries and his career.
After the round of questions, every camp participant was able to take a selfie or get an autograph before entering the BayArena. There was a short tour with the kids enjoying the chance to see the Werkself ground from a player's perspective including the Mixed Zone and the dressing room
The day was not just a hit for the youngsters as Karim Bellarabi also enjoyed this special event: "It was great fun and something different. Perhaps we'll see some of the kids in a Werkself shirt someday."
The weeks at the camp all end with a tournament. The kids will play in Bayer 04 kits and show their parents what they've learned over the week.
The second camp takes place in the second week of the Easter holidays from Tuesday to Friday. The Soccer School is also being held from 19 to 21 April in Bocholt and on Saturday, the day of the match against Bayern, there is a one-day special event for young football fanatics ending in going to the match.
Several Werkself players are set to represent their national teams during the final international break of 2026. Here’s an overview of who has been called up and what matches they will face in November. This article will be updated regularly.
Show more
After three consecutive wins in the Europa League, the Werkself suffered their first European defeat of the season against Marseille. In a first half with few chances, the Black and Reds gradually gained more and more control of the game, but were unable to convert that advantage into goals. Miguel Gutiérrez came closest to putting Leverkusen ahead with a shot that hit the crossbar. In the second half, the French side produced clinical finishing, with Amine Gouiri scoring from a counter-attack to make it 1-0 (77’). Right up to the final whistle, the Werkself threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, but were unable to find a way back into the game.
Show more
Bayer 04 are riding a wave of success on the European stage: After three wins from their first three games and as the only team yet to concede a goal, the Werkself sit second in the table in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. With another three points in their first-ever competitive match against Olympique Marseille on Thursday night, 5 November (kick-off: 21:00 CET), Bayer 04 could leap to the top of the table. Meanwhile, the French side are riding the wave of a winning streak in Ligue 1, but are yet to pick up any points in the Europa League. For one Werkself player, Thursday night will mark a reunion with his former team-mates. Today’s matchday news.
Show more
The Europa League campaign continues: Bayer 04 host Olympique Marseille at the BayArena on matchday four of the group stage on Thursday 5 November (kick-off: 21:00 CET). Ahead of the clash against the club from the French Mediterranean coast, head coach Carles Martínez spoke about the visitors’ form and had some good news regarding the squad. Former OM player Facundo Medina spoke, amongst other things, about the factors that will be crucial against his old club.
Show more
