While the five Bayer 04 players at the Euros all picked up three points for openers, the two Leverkusen players at the Copa América shared the points, the clash between Argentina with Exequiel Palacios and Chile with Charles Aránguiz ended all square at 1-1 after 90 minutes. Our number 25 came on for the Albiceleste on 68 minutes; Werkself captain Aránguiz went the full distance. The goals were scored by Lionel Messi (33') and the former Hoffenheim player Eduardo Vargas (57').
The next matches for the black and red duo take place this week: Chile play Bolivia on Friday, 18 June at 23.00 CEST, and Argentina take on Uruguay three hours later. The fifth team in Group A is Paraguay; four of the five teams from the two groups will go through.
Aleksandar Dragovic’s participation in Austria's opening match in the Euros against North Macedonia (3-1) ended at half-time. The central defender, who will play for Red Star Belgrade next season, suffered a cut from an elbow during the first half. As announced by the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB), the 30-year-old suffered a "double contused lateral wound to the right eye". Dragovic did have stitches but there was no sign of concussion according to ÖFB. Accordingly, he will now take part in individual recovery training.
Patrik Schick could hardly have had a better opening afternoon at the Euros. The 25-year-old Werkself centre-forward netted a brace for the Czech Republic in the 2-0 win against Scotland. Our number 14 first scored with his head and then with an incredible long-range shot from the halfway line – the unofficial title of the "best goal of the Euros" would appear to be heading his way. For anybody who missed it, you can see the goal again HERE. And anybody who has seen it: Just have a look at it again…
The victorious Leverkusen Euro quintet do not have much time to celebrate – the action continues almost straightaway. On Wednesday, 16 June (kick-off: 15.00 CEST), Finland with goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and striker Joel Pohjanpalo take on Russia. The day after that, Dragovic and Julian Baumgartlinger are with Austria for the game against the Netherlands (kick-off: 21.00 CEST). Then on Friday there is a meeting between Schick's Czech Republic and Croatia (kick-off: 18.00 CEST). Good luck for the rest of the tournament, lads!
Away from the pitch to another very important social issue: blood donation. As part of the World Blood Donor Day, Bayer 04 are supporting the campaign #missingtype run by the German Red Cross (DRK). Join in, donate blood and save lives. Click HERE to register (in Germany).
Moreover: As the blood donation session at the BayArena last year was a complete success, Bayer 04 will again organise the event at the Werkself home ground – this year on 5 August. More information will be available over the course of the week at bayer04.de.
Finally, we have a very special auction for you: At United Charity you have the opportunity up to 27 June to bid for football boots worn and signed by Lars and Sven Bender. HERE is the auction for the boots worn by Lars, HERE for Sven's.
Bosnia U19 international Kerim Alajbegovic is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen's youth set-up to Red Bull Salzburg. The talented attacking midfielder has signed a long-term contract with the Austrian club. At the same time, the works club secured a buy-back option for the 17-year-old, who was one of the mainstays of the Leverkusen U19s.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Premier League club Chelsea in the final pre-season friendly. The game against the current holders of the UEFA Conference League is on Friday, 8 August at Stamford Bridge with the kick-off at 20:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Dutch top-flight club Fortuna Sittard in the third pre-season friendly. The match is on Friday, 1 August at the Fortuna Sittard stadium with the kick-off at 19:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to VfL Bochum in the second pre-season friendly. The match is on Sunday, 27 July at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion with the kick-off at 18:00 CEST. Read on for the latest information on ticket sales.
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