The U19 training group was significantly smaller during the international break. But there are very good reasons for that: A total of eight players were able to show what they could do at first team training and, according to U19 coach Markus von Ahlen, “were able to gain important experience. The feedback was that the lads have done a good job but could have been a little livelier.” For von Ahlen and his fellow coach Patrik Weiser, the promotion of their players resulted in a significantly changed approach to the daily training sessions: “We often only had ten or eleven players in training,” von Ahlen reported. “That means you can work well on an individual basis but, on the other hand, it makes it difficult from the team tactics point of view.”
There is also good news in terms of the injury list. Both Marvin Alexa and Seymour Fünger were able to take part in much of the full training sessions during the international break with Yannick Schlösser and long-term injury Achunike-Elijah Ekene also able to get involved at times. “We hope our incredibly long injury list shortens soon,” said von Ahlen. The coaches will have to manage without the suspended goalkeeper Marcel Johnen with Jakob Brambach again stepping into the breach.
Regardless of their personal situation, Bayer 04 will be looking to register their first home win of the season on Sunday 18 October. With the kick off at 11.00 CEST, the U19s entertain Rot-Weiß Oberhausen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The game will again be played behind closed doors. The opponents have started the season with the maximum six points from their first two games. “Oberhausen have always been a tough opponent in recent years and you have to break them down,” said von Ahlen who says RWO are “very strong up front.” For his team, it is all about, “using space in attacks and improving efficiency both in attack and defence.” The U19s went into the international break on the back of the cup defeat against FC Köln.
The international break for the U17 side lasts a week longer. The team under Jan Hoepner and Tomasz Zdebel have a weekend off in the 17-strong Bundesliga West. The team have a friendly against the TSV Meerbusch U19s on Tuesday 20 October (kick-off: 19.15 CEST) at Kurtekotten.
The other Bayer 04 junior teams also have no competitive games at the weekend. The U8s have a friendly on Saturday 17 October (kick-off: 11.30 CEST) away to the Sportfreunde Königshardt U9s in Oberhausen and the youth teams will play other friendlies during the week.
The Nerazzurri are in town: Today, Tuesday 10 December, Bayer 04 entertain the reigning champions of Italy Inter Milan on Matchday 6 in the UEFA Champions League (kick-off: 21.00 CET/live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio). Read on for the latest information on the home game at the BayArena.
Show moreThe Bayer 04 U19 team lost 1-0 to Inter Milan on the sixth and final matchday in the league phase of the UEFA Youth League 2024/25. The only goal of the game was scored just after the hour mark. While the side from North Italy have finished top in the league phase with a maximum points return, the Leverkusen team appeared to have just missed out on the knockout stages of the European competition. There is faint hope looking to several games to follow where results are needed to go the way of the Werkself.
Show moreItalian teams are known for being strong in defence. The fact that Inter Milan, the next opponents for the Werkself in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, 10 December (kick-off: 20.45 CET), have not conceded a single goal in their last five matches is impressive. Will the visitors' keeper Yann Sommer be able to keep a clean sheet at the BayArena against Florian Wirtz and Co.? The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Borussia Dortmund on Bundesliga Matchday 16. The game at the Signal Iduna Park on Friday, 10 January 2025, kicks off at 20.30 CET. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show more