The warm-up started with a game of catch where the quarry can save themselves by hitching a piggyback from another Werkself pro; Peter Bosz and his fellow coaches then split the squad up into smaller groups for rondos. Attention then turned to detailed work: The dribbling skills of the pros were in demand on a slalom course. Finally, the intensity of the session was upped even more with shooting practice and a practice match.
Sven Bender, Karim Bellarabi and Daley Sinkgraven returned to full training today after all three worked on their own in the Monday session. Lars Bender was today on a neighbouring pitch. The skipper completed a separate fitness session without the ball – as did Tin Jedvaj due to slight back problems, albeit he was at the BayArena. The Croat is expected to return to full training on Thursday.
The Werkself have 04 days before the first competitive game of the season in Aachen. "It won't be easy. Our opponents have already played several games and are up and running. If we want to win then we have to deliver 100 per cent," said Sven Bender, putting aside the results of the recent friendlies; "They were poor results – there’s no question about that. But it counts from now on! We've had six weeks of pre-season and that should be enough!"
Kevin Volland believes he and his team-mates are well prepared for the challenge in Aachen: "We've made further progress over the last two weeks. Our fitness is better and the freshness is there – we’ll be in good shape by the time of the cup game," said the confident 27-year-old. "We have to communicate a bit better on the pitch and help each other out. But we are all very focused and we definitely want to get off to a good start."
The Werkself had an appointment in the press conference room at the BayArena after lunch: Referee Dr Robert Kampka delivered a lecture. The referee introduced the rule changes for the 2019/20 season. Centre stage was the modification to the handball rule.
UEFA also paid a visit. The European body sent representatives to the BayArena ahead of the forthcoming Champions League matches to take a closer look at the facilities, the technical infrastructure as well as the areas of hospitality and ticketing to ensure the matchdays run without any problems. There was very positive feedback: The BayArena and Bayer 04 are completely prepared for the Champions League.
Bayer 04 are away to Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb on Matchday 5 of the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. The game kicks off on Thursday 26 November at 18:45 CET at the Maksimir Stadium. All the information on ticket sales.
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It wasn’t just on the pitch that there was cause for celebration around the Werkself’s 2–1 home win against SC Freiburg. Plenty of happy faces could be seen near the dugouts at half-time too. Once again, CEO Fernando Carro, alongside former striker and club ambassador Stefan Kießling, paid tribute to eight supporters’ clubs celebrating up to their 30th anniversary on behalf of Bayer 04.
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It was a match that will live long in the memory of everyone involved: The Bayer 04 U19s celebrated their seventh win in seven matches in the DFB Youth League preliminary round – and yet it was a very special victory indeed: in the 4–3 (1–1) win at VfL Bochum 1848, no fewer than five goals came in the final quarter of an hour. As the 90th minute approached, coach Patrick Greveraars’s side found themselves behind, but then fought back in true ‘Laterkusen’ style.
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Under Carles Martínez, the Werkself have so far proved unbeatable at the BayArena. The Spaniard has led his team to victory in all three of their most recent home matches – and, it's worth noting, without conceding a single goal. On Sunday, 18 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST / live on DAZN and Werkself Radio), current league leaders SC Freiburg will make the trip to Leverkusen, but will be without their top scorer. What's more, the Werkself have won all three of their previous home matches against the Black Forest club. With a goal, Patrik Schick could not only secure a fourth consecutive victory but also set a memorable record. Meanwhile, on what will be the ‘Health Day' at the BayArena, much of the focus will be on physical wellbeing. Today's matchday news.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 7 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
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