However, not all the pros are on their summer holidays – international players Julian Brandt, Bernd Leno and Jonathan Tah meet up today with the rest of the Germany squad for a training camp in Eppan (South Tyrol) where the 27-man group will prepare for the forthcoming World Cup (14 June to 15 July) under the guidance of national coach Joachim Löw up to 7 June. Three days before that, Löw will have to decide on his 23 players for the tournament in Russia.
As part of the World Cup preparations, ‘Die Mannschaft’ play Austria in a friendly in Klagenfurt on 2 June. This gives Brandt, Leno and Tah the possibility of a reunion with Julian Baumgartlinger who like Aleksandar Dragovic, currently on loan at Leicester City, was called up to the Austria scored yesterday by national coach Franco Foda. ‘Baumi’ has captained Austria since September 2016 but they have not qualified for the World Cup. In addition to the game against Germany, Austria also have friendlies against World Cup teams Russia (30 May in Innsbruck) and Brazil (10 June in Vienna)..
The final friendly during the ‘mission title defence’ for Germany is on Friday 8 June (19.30 CET, live on ARD) against Saudi Arabia at the BayArena. After the match, the draw for the first round proper of the DFB Cup (17 to 20 August) will be held at the Football Museum in Dortmund at 22.15 CET – the Werkself are one of 32 teams in the draw.
Bayer 04 are riding a wave of success on the European stage: After three wins from their first three games and as the only team yet to concede a goal, the Werkself sit second in the table in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. With another three points in their first-ever competitive match against Olympique Marseille on Thursday night, 5 November (kick-off: 21:00 CET), Bayer 04 could leap to the top of the table. Meanwhile, the French side are riding the wave of a winning streak in Ligue 1, but are yet to pick up any points in the Europa League. For one Werkself player, Thursday night will mark a reunion with his former team-mates. Today’s matchday news.
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The Europa League campaign continues: Bayer 04 host Olympique Marseille at the BayArena on matchday four of the group stage on Thursday 5 November (kick-off: 21:00 CET). Ahead of the clash against the club from the French Mediterranean coast, head coach Carles Martínez spoke about the visitors’ form and had some good news regarding the squad. Former OM player Facundo Medina spoke, amongst other things, about the factors that will be crucial against his old club.
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The Bayer 04 Round of 16 tie in the 2026/27 DFB Pokal has been scheduled. The Werkself will host Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig on Wednesday, 2 December, at 18:00 CET. That was announced by the German Football Association (DFB).
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Video game developer Electronic Arts (EA), in collaboration with the Bundesliga, has announced the six nominees for the Bundesliga Player of the Month award for October 2026 – and Bayer 04’s Ibrahim Maza is among them. Fans of the Black and Reds can vote from now until Sunday 8 November (23:59 CET).
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