Back
11.10.2021Bayer 04

#InternationalWerkself: Diaby and Co. triumph – Palacios makes comeback

The international break ended for Werkself winger Moussa Diaby and his France teammates in great success. Plus: Zidan Sertdemir scores again for the Denmark U17 team, Exequiel Palacios is back in action following his injury lay-off and Chile with Charles Aránguiz are back to winning ways.
crop_imago1007210366h.jpg

The current World Cup winners France secured the Nations League title on Sunday night. On the winning team's photo alongside coach Didier Deschamps was Werkself player Moussa Diaby. The 22-year-old did not play in the 2-1 win in the final against Spain but watched a successful fight back from Les Bleus at the San Siro stadium in Milan.

After the opener from Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal, goals from Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe turned the game round in favour of Diaby and Co.. France are the second winners after Portugal since the competition was introduced in 2018/19.

Sertdemir scores again

After Zidan Sertdemir scored both goals in the 2-0 victory against Montenegro the Denmark U17 team, the 16-year-old again found the back of the net in a 5-1 win against Malta. The Leverkusen player came on after the start of the second half and scored from the penalty spot in the closing stages to make it 4-1 (84'). That means Denmark with the Black and Red youngster have a goal difference of 7 for and 1 against and are top of Group 1 without dropping a point, just like Turkey. The two top teams in the group meet each other tomorrow (Tuesday) at 11.00 CEST.

Palacios back on the pitch

Argentina beat Uruguay 3-0 on the night from Sunday to Monday. Bayer 04 player Exequiel Palacios made his comeback following his torn ligament in the middle of September with an appearance off the bench from 75 minutes. Striker Lucas Alario was not in squad this time. The goals for the Albiceleste were scored by Lionel Messi (38') Rodrigo De Paul (44') and Lautaro Martinez (62'). The Copa América winners could secure their seventh home win in succession in World Cup qualifiers on Friday (01.30 CEST) against Peru.

crop_imago1003803009h.jpg

Aránguiz wins, Hincapie loses

Chile got back on track with a 2-0 win in a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay. For the team including Werkself player Charles Aránguiz, a win was essential in the night from Sunday to Monday to maintain the chance of qualifying for the World Cup. Aránguiz was again in the starting line-up for Chile but he was sent off for a second yellow card offence on 74 minutes – however the victory was not at risk. The team in eighth place are next in action on Friday against the bottom team Venezuela (02.00 CEST).

Central defender Piero Hincapie and Ecuador suffered a 2-1 defeat against Venezuela on Sunday night following their convincing 3-0 win against Bolivia. Los Tricolores took the lead from the penalty spot on 37 minutes before Venezuela levelled before half-time. The winner came on 64 minutes. La Tri remain third in the table on 16 points in the race for the World Cup finals remains open. Bayer 04 new signing Hincapie again started and he played the full 90 minutes.

Hradecky and Finland beaten

 

Lukas Hradecky and Finland entertained Ukraine in the Helsinki at the weekend. The Werkself keeper and his teammates were on the losing side on matchday seven in the World Cup qualifiers. The former Dortmund player Andrey Yarmolenko put Ukraine in front with a shot from 25 yards out four minutes into the game. After the leveller at 1-1 scored by Teemu Pukki (29'), the Ukrainian Roman Yaremchuk beat the Leverkusen keeper from close range on 34 minutes to make it 2-1. The Eagle Owls from Scandinavia are fourth in Group D after five games. Finland's next match tomorrow is at 16.00 CEST against bottom of the table Kazakhstan.

INTERNATIONALS INVOLVING BAYER 04 PLAYERS:

Florian Wirtz (World Cup qualifier)
11.10.21, 20.45 CEST, North Macedonia vs Germany, Skopje

Charles Aránguiz (World Cup qualifiers)
15.10.21, 02.00 CEST, Chile vs Venezuela, Santiago

Odilon Kossounou (World Cup qualifier)
11.10.21, 18.00 CEST, Ivory Coast vs Malawi, Cotonou

Exequiel Palacios and Lucas Alario (World Cup qualifier)
15.10.21, 01.30 CEST, Argentina vs Peru, Buenos Aires

Mitchel Bakker and Jeremie Frimpong (U21 Euros qualifier)
12.10.21, 20.00 CEST, Netherlands vs Wales, Nijmegen

Amine Adli (U21 Euros qualifier)
12.10.21, 18.30 CEST, Serbia vs Francs, Belgrade

Lukas Hradecky (World Cup qualifier)
12.10.21, 16.00 CEST, Kazakhstan vs Finland, Astana

Patrik Schick (World Cup qualifier)
11.10.21, 20.45 CEST, Belarus vs Czech Republic, Kazan

Andrey Lunev (World Cup qualifier)
11.10.21, 20.45 CEST, Slovenia vs Russia, Maribor

Piero Hincapie (World Cup qualifier)
14.10.21, 23.00 CEST, Colombia vs Ecuador, Barranquilla

Zidan Sertdemir (U17 Euro qualifier)
12.10.21, Denmark vs Turkey, Paola

Related News

Gruppenfoto beim Aktionstag für Frauen und Mädchen mit Handicap gemeinsam mit den Bayer 04-Frauen
Sustainability - 28.03.2026

Inclusion, community and first team autographs: Day of action for women and girls with disabilities

A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.

Show more
BayArena dunkel
Bayer 04 - 28.03.2026

Earth Hour 2026: BayArena switches off lights for the planet

On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.

Show more
Kerim Alajbegovic
Bayer 04 - 27.03.2026

Goalscorer and hard worker: Alajbegovic and big steps in Salzburg

Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.

Show more
Nathan Tella mit Simon Rolfes
Bayer 04 - 24.03.2026

Nathan Tella signs new deal with Bayer 04 to 2031

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.

Show more
Nathan Tella verlängert: „Unglaubliches Gefühl, Teil dieses Clubs zu sein“
Werkself-TV - 24.03.2026

'Amazing feeling to be part of this club': Tella extends contract to 2031

Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...

Show more