
In a good mood and looking refreshed, Herrlich faced the questions of the journalists where he commented...
...on the fitness levels of the team:
"The players are happy to get going again. Over the long summer break they had a good chance to recover, particularly in terms of mentality. Of course, we hope to go as far as we can in all competitions – that would mean a packed fixture list right up to the winter break. An extra week's holiday doesn't make that much difference. Training plans were issued for the time off – and I'm sure the lads will come back in very good condition. That was also the case last year: In relation to fitness and athleticism we were among the best teams last season – we were really fit! Obviously, now we have to work on details."
...on confident latecomers:
"On the one hand, it's an advantage to have all players together when training restarts. On the other hand, I'm obviously happy to have players come back from tournaments with confidence and hopefully success That spreads to the other players in the squad. I'm happy we've got the Cup winner Lukas Hradecky in the team and I hope he'll pass on his confidence. Now we're hoping Tin Jedvaj can go as far as possible in the World Cup with Croatia. "
...on the squad:
"The squad is more or less complete. One or two are possibly thinking about a move and we will have to make adjustments in that case. I'm assuming I'm going to go into the new season with the squad. If I had a free choice then it would be at the back on the left – Although we've always managed well when Wendell hasn't played. And I still think it's important to have a central striker who is good in the air. That's just a wish I've expressed before. We'll see what happens."
...on Julian Brandt's performances at the World Cup:
"He showed how important it was that he was there. He posed a real threat in all his brief appearances. I thought after the first game, and certainly after the second, that he might get the chance to start. Obviously he's disappointed and the whole situation has affected him. But Julian did a very good job and he can be happy with that. We've given him extra time off so that he comes back hungry and motivated."
...on targets for the season:
"It's a pity we didn't qualify for the Champions League. Of course, that was a disappointment in the end. Our aim again is to qualify for Europe. Beyond that our ambition is to improve and finish in the top four."
...On the 'bike training camp':
"I've always had very good experiences with bike rides. You can't run all the time as that has an effect on the joints. Cycling gives you a completely different base. Now we have a season in front of us where we need that good base to deal with all the challenges facing us. That's why we're doing this 'training camp' with three days on the road.' It's not crossing the Alps but it will be a good workout."


This fan meeting got off to a rather unexpected start. On Sunday afternoon, the Bayer 04 managing directors had just welcomed the fans present at the team hotel for the traditional get-together at the training camp when Fernando Carro’s phone rang. The CEO, glancing towards managing director sport Simon Rolfes with a smile, said: “We’ll just have to answer that quickly.” When asked by the fans what the call was actually about, the pair left it open with a wink. Instead, Carro and Rolfes then spent over an hour happily answering the fans’ many other questions.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of the 3-0 victory in the friendly match against Rot-Weiss Essen...
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