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.
The penultimate Bundesliga matchday of the calendar year marks the end of an eventful first half of the season for the Bayer 04 Women. After seven wins, one draw and four defeats from the first twelve games of the season, coach Roberto Pätzold's team can go above Werder Bremen in the table with a win on Friday, 12 December (kick-off: 18:30 CET).
Show more
The third showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 kicks off for the Leverkusen eSports team this Thursday, 11 December (live on the B04eSports Twitch channel from 19:00 CET). In the online preliminary round, the Black and Red will once again take on six previously drawn opponents for a place in the Top 16 and the associated entry into the offline knockout round, which will take place at this third showdown on 19 December in Cologne. Showdown One winners Bayer 04 will face FC St. Pauli, who won the second showdown last month, among others. The lowdown on first three opponents in this online preliminary round.
Show more
Alejandro Grimaldo, of course! With his late equaliser (88') in the Champions League clash against Newcastle United, the Spaniard rescued a point for the Werkself, who took the lead through an own goal by Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes (13') but went with two goals for the visitors scored by Anthony Gordon (51') and Lewis Miley (74'). It was the third draw for Bayer 04 in the current 2025/26 campaign on matchday 6 in the UCL league phase.
Show more
The Werkself will be looking to continue their run in the Champions League against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21:00 CET). The two victories without conceding a goal at Benfica (1:0) and Manchester City (2-0) will hopefully be followed by a win at home at the BayArena. Against the English side, who have a player with a Black and Red past in their ranks, the way to victory could be through efficiency in attack and quick transitional play. The latter in particular has recently caused the Magpies problems away from home on the European stage. Fans can also get the stylish matchday sticker for their Sound of Dreams tour pass at the Bayer 04 Fanwelt. The matchday news.
Show more
For the first time ever, Bayer 04 have reached the knockout phase of the UEFA Youth League. At the end of the league phase, the Leverkusen U19s secured a 2-1 home win against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December. Montrell Culbreath scored before half-time and Ferdinand Pohl doubled the lead after the restart in the clash with the English side. The UCL youth competition continues at the beginning of February with the Round of 32, which will be played away from home without a second leg.
Show more
