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.
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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To mark Exequiel Palacios’s departure, we’ve put together a compilation of the midfielder’s finest and most important goals from his six-and-a-half years at the club.
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