Hard work for the new season was the order of the day on the third floor in the West Stand: 19 members of next season's U19 squad underwent thorough investigations and tests carried out by the fitness and physio team in the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehab and training centre.
The oldest youth team under the Bayer Cross completed the diagnostic tests over the course of the day in groups of two and three. An electrocardiogram at rest, as a basic medical check, was at the start. That was followed by a workout on the training area at the Werkstatt with motivational music. That was followed by several drills to measure hip strength before functional ability was assessed using the FMS as well as Y-balance tests, two diagnostic procedures that used different parameters to measure coordination, mobility and stability with the help of a standardised succession of movements. The young players ended the tests on the treadmill with spiroergometry assessing their stamina levels.
In a repeat of last year, the performance checks for the U19 players were carried out ahead of the four-week summer break. "This means we can get straight into training and we need less time to get up to speed," said head coach Sven Hübscher. "We can also design the training plans for the lads on a more individual basis according to their current performance levels." At the same time, it is important his charges use the first two weeks of the summer break to recover so that they are able to recharge their batteries ahead of the forthcoming season.
In the final week of training there is a friendly on the agenda in addition to the performance tests. The Hübscher team play PSV Düsseldorf on Thursday 9 June. The game at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre kicks off at 19.30 CEST. The final full training session is on Wednesday while all the players will complete a final health check with the Werkself physios on Friday. The return to training for the new season is set for 11 July.
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.
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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.
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The Bayer 04 Round of 16 tie in the 2026/27 DFB Pokal has been scheduled. The Werkself will host Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig on Wednesday, 2 December, at 18:00 CET. That was announced by the German Football Association (DFB).
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Video game developer Electronic Arts (EA), in collaboration with the Bundesliga, has announced the six nominees for the Bundesliga Player of the Month award for October 2026 – and Bayer 04’s Ibrahim Maza is among them. Fans of the Black and Reds can vote from now until Sunday 8 November (23:59 CET).
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