Following a team meeting featuring contributions from Pätzold and sporting director Achim Feifel, the first players took to the training pitch at around 09:50 CEST. Also present were the seven new signings so far: Natasha Kowalski, Paulina Platner (both from SGS Essen), Lobke Loonen (FC Utrecht), Marlene Müller (RB Leipzig), Carolin Simon (Bayern Munich), Maja Sternad (Werder Bremen) and Emily Wallrabenstein (Eintracht Frankfurt II). Jana Lindner from the club’s U23s rounded off the group. The only players absent for the first session were Cornelia Kramer (personal reasons), Claudia Wenger (wisdom tooth operation) and Amy Wrigge (torn cruciate ligament). During the one-hour training session, following the warm-up, the programme included short passing drills, rondos and a practice match.
The day before, except for Wrigge, Kramer and Wenger, all the players completed the first part of their performance assessments at the Werkstatt – the training and rehabilitation centre at the BayArena – to mark the start of pre-season preparations. In addition to flexibility tests, the programme – under the guidance of the fitness coaches – initially included a running analysis, jumping exercises and a hip strength test.
Following an initial full week of training – during which the team will train on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 09:30 CEST each day – the following week will conclude with the first friendly. On Saturday, 4 July (14:00 CEST), the Werkself host Bundesliga newcomers Mainz 05 at Kurtekotten. Admission to the match is free.
From 13 to 19 July, the Bayer 04 Women’s team will, as they did last summer, hold a week-long training camp in Rieden in the Upper Palatinate. Following a week off from training, the second phase of pre-season for the new Bundesliga campaign will begin on Monday 27 July, with the first matchday between 21 and 24 August. The new provisional fixture list for the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga is expected to be published in mid-July.
Click HERE for the latest update on the full summer schedule.
Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
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A warm welcome to Leverkusen, Afonso Moreira! Bayer 04 have signed the 21-year-old Portuguese player from the top-flight French club Lyon. The left-winger has signed a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2031. Bayer04.de takes a closer look at the new signing.
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A new signing for the U19s: Bayer 04 have signed winger Clinton Wilson from Schalke 04. The 18-year-old previously played for Leverkusen youth teams from January to June 2024.
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