Bernd Leno and Julian Brandt have been called up by Joachim Löw For Wednesday's friendly against England in Dortmund (20.45 CET) and the World Cup qualifier in Azerbaijan (18.00 CET) on Sunday 26 March. The match against the Three Lions at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund is also a farewell appearance for Lukas Podolski who is set to make his 130th and last appearance for Germany. ‘Poldi’ made his full international debut in 2004 under the then national coach Rudi Völler.
Several Bayer 04 pros will face each other in these internationals. That applies to the World Cup qualifier in Group I between Turkey and Finland to be played on Friday 24 March at 18.00 CET in Antanya: Ömer Toprak and Joel Pohjanpalo could line up as direct opponents. And the same could apply in the following friendly for the Finns away to Austria on Tuesday 28 March when 'Danger' Pohjanpalo could face team-mates Aleksandar Dragovic and Julian Baumgartlinger in the Austrian team..
Tin Jedvaj and Croatia also have one World Cup cup qualifier and one friendly. In Group I, the leaders Croatia meet second-placed Ukraine and a victory would give them breathing space in top spot. Fourth-placed Turkey have to beat Finland to still be in with a chance of qualification.
Austria with Dragovic and Baumgartlinger – Bayer 04 keeper Ramazan Öczan announced his international retirement last week – are also under pressure against bottom-placed Moldova. Admir Mehmedi and Switzerland have a perfect record to date putting them top of World Cup qualification Group B with a maximum possible 12 points so far. A win in the home game against Latvia would only strengthen their current position. Slovenia, with Kevin Kampl, are also doing well in second place behind England in Group F. On Sunday 26 March they are away to Scotland who currently have four fewer points.
Chile cracker against Argentina
Chile and Charles Aránguiz have two important games in the South American World Cup qualifiers. Three points against bottom of the table Venezuelan are an absolute must in the second match on Wednesday 29 March. The previous game against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Friday night is a tougher prospect for Chile. The Chileans are fourth on 20 points and would qualify with a win while hosts Argentina are a point behind on course for the play-offs.
After two World Cup qualifiers, Mexico are in second place with four points, two behind leaders Costa Rica, who Chicharito and co. face in the Aztec Stadium in the night to Saturday. Following that, Mexico are in action again on Wednesday 29 March against Trinidad and Tobago on zero points.
The Germany U 21's, with Benjamin Henrichs, have friendly fixtures against England on Friday 24 March and Portugal on Monday 27 March. Turkey take on Moldova (Monday 27 March) and Croatia are away to Estonia (Tuesday 28 March). Werkself youngsters Atakan Akkaynak and Sam Schreck are set to play for the Germany U18s in two friendlies in France on 23 and 26 March.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned U19 midfielder Jeremiah Mensah to Dutch second-tier side Roda JC Kerkrade for one year. The 18-year-old Germany youth international has a long-term contract at the club to 2031.
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Bayer 04 kick off the final phase of their 2026/27 pre-season preparations with a friendly against Premier League club Nottingham Forest. Head coach Carles Martínez’s team will take to the pitch at the City Ground today, Wednesday 12 August (kick-off: 8.45 pm/7.45 pm local time). Werkself-TV will broadcast the match live and in full exclusively for Bayer 04 members via livestream from 8.35 pm...
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Argentina international Facundo Medina. The defender, who can play both at left-back and in a more central position in the back line, has signed a contract with Bayer 04 to 30 June 2031. The 1.84-metre-tall World Cup runner-up, who will wear the number 2 shirt, joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique de Marseille.
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Villa Fiorito, River Plate, Ligue 1, the World Cup final and now Bayer 04: Facundo Medina’s life story so far has been shaped by special places, clubs, matches and names. One of them is Diego Maradona, who, like Medina, hailed from the south of Buenos Aires. Another is Exequiel Palacios, his former team-mate at River Plate, who was raving about Bayer 04 to him as recently as the World Cup in North America. Medina has now taken the plunge into the Bundesliga and, as an Argentine World Cup runner-up, has joined Bayer 04 from Olympique de Marseille this week. It is set to be the next successful chapter in his career. Leverkusen’s new number 2 brings with him a South American mentality and passion, a wealth of experience from many years in Ligue 1, and a fascinating story to the Rhineland – and to a club where the 1.84-metre-tall left-footed player will be reunited with Palacios and several other familiar faces.
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Shortly after signing his contract with Bayer 04, new signing Facundo Medina spoke to Werkself.tv about his first impressions of the club, his expectations and his conversations with his Argentine compatriot Exequiel Palacios. The defender also reveals what the fans can look forward to. Welcome to Leverkusen, Facu!
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