The numbers of the 25 year-old Leverkusen player speak for themselves: Jonathan Tah, playing alongside Mönchengladbach’s Matthias Ginter in the centre of defence, stood out in his display over 90 minutes with a 100% success rate in challenges. In addition, he has a pass completion rate of 90%.
The first goal of the match in the Armenian capital Yerevan was scored by Kai Havertz (15'). The 22-year-old spent ten years at Bayer 04, developed into an international player of world-class calibre and is now in the Premier League at Chelsea.
The other goals were a brace from Ilkay Gündogan (45+4', 50 pen.) and one from Jonas Hofmann (64'). Armenia superstar Henrikh Mkhitaryan of AS Roma scored from the penalty spot on 59 minutes to make it 3-1.
Germany were the clear winners of Group J in the World Cup qualifiers with an impressive 27 out of a possible 30 points. North Macedonia are in the play-offs after finishing second in the group (18 points).
While the match in Arminia was the last game in the current international break for Tah and the other German players, several of his Leverkusen teammates are still on the road. Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and Finland will face France with Moussa Diaby. While the current World Cup winners are already certain of finishing top of Group D, Finland have to defend second spot.
Third-placed Ukraine are on the heels of Hradecky and Co. with two points less and they play Bosnia-Herzegovina at the same time. The two matches kick-off on Tuesday, 16 November at 20.45 CET.
Remaining international fixtures involving Bayer 04 players:
Lukas Hradecky (World Cup qualifier)
16.11, 20.45 CET, Finland vs France, Helsinki
Moussa Diaby (World Cup qualifier)
16.11, 20.45 CET, Finland vs France, Helsinki
Jeremie Frimpong (U21 Euro qualifier)
15.11, 14.00 CET, Gibraltar U21 vs Netherlands U21, Gibraltar
Amine Adli (U21 Euro qualifier)
16.11, 18.30 CET, Macedonia U21 vs France U21, Skopje
Exequiel Palacios (World Cup qualifier)
17.11, 00.30 CET, Argentina vs Brazil, San Juan
Piero Hincapie (World Cup qualifier)
17.11., 01.15 CET, Chile vs Ecuador, Santiago de Chile
Edmond Tapsoba (World Cup qualifier)
16.11, 17.00 CET, Algeria vs Burkina Faso, Blida
Odilon Kossounou (World Cup qualifier)
16.11, 20.00 CET, Cameroon vs Ivory Coast, Yaoundé
Emrehan Gedikli (U19 Euro qualifier)
16.11, 14.00 CET, Greece U19 vs Germany U19, Nafpaktos
Iker Bravo (U19 Euro qualifier)
16.11, 18.00 CET, Belgium U19 vs Spain U19, Bissen
Zidan Sertdemir (U19 friendly)
16.11, 11.00 CET, Portugal U19 vs Denmark U19, Capital do Movel
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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