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.
Following the summer break of around two months, the Bayer 04 first team squad took to the training pitches at the BayArena for the first time on Tuesday – and the players were in high spirits. Alongside the newly formed coaching team led by head coach Carles Martínez, new signing Afonso Moreira also completed his first session with the squad. In front of several hundred Bayer 04 fans at the open session, numerous Werkself players worked up a good sweat. The Leverkusen players who took part in the World Cup will join pre-season training at a later date.
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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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Rieden reloaded: Just like last year, the Bayer 04 Women’s team are spending their summer training camp in this idyllic corner of Bavaria. From this Sunday, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team will be based in Rieden in the Upper Palatinate for a week.
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