The quintet were on the pitch together for 20 minutes. Werkself striker Joel Pohjanpalo started for Finland.
Bastian Schweinsteiger was the focus of attention in his final international appearance for Germany where he once again led the team out as captain to earn cap number 121. “I’m happy to be picked for this game and it’s bound to be very emotional. I’m looking forward to the night and the chance to hear the national anthem on the pitch again,” said Schweinsteiger. The visibly moved captain received a standing ovation from the 30,120 crowd before kick-off.
The match proved to be a tame affair at the start. Germany set out to dominate the game but were unable to create any clear-cut chances. The best opportunity came when the Finland defender Paulus Arajuuri almost turned the ball into his own net but his clearance on 26 minutes came back off the post. Five minutes later Mario Götze hesitated a second too long with his shot after a fine solo run. Just before the break debutant Niklas Süle saw a long-range effort saved by the Finland shot-stopper Lukas Hradecky.
The fourth Werkself pro came on at the start of the second half: Bernd Leno took over in goal from Marc ter Stegen to win his second international cap.
Tah completes quintet
Germany remained on top in the second 45 with the busy Kevin Volland one of the most impressive players on the pitch. The Werkself pro caused constant problems with his forays up front and he was involved in the opener on 54 minutes. Volland dummied a cross from Götze for Max Meyer to convert the chance. Jonathan Tah came on just after that to complete the Bayer 04 quintet.
Another emotional moment followed on 66 minutes: Bastian Schweinsteiger left the pitch to a fantastic reception from the fans. “Basti, Basti” rang out all round the stadium.
It was still one-way traffic in the game. Mesut Özil made it 2-0 on 77 minutes with the hosts clearly in charge. Julian Brandt made for Thomas Müller two minutes later and Leno was called into action in the closing minutes.
World Cup qualifier on Sunday
Germany take on Norway on Sunday in the first qualifier for the 2018 World Cup. The match in Oslo kicks off at 20.45 CET.
Fritz Walter medals for Henrichs, Havertz and Ehegötz
Ahead of the friendly against Finland the German FA (DFB) honoured three Bayer 04 players in Mönchengladbach on Wednesday afternoon: Nina Ehegötz, new signing with Leverkusen women’s team, received a gold Fritz Walter medal as did Werkself pro Benjamin Henrichs.
Under-19 player Kai Havertz received a silver Fritz Walter. “All the talented youngsters have been given awards for their outstanding performances last season and they have taken a great step forward in their careers,” said Hans-Dieter Drewitz, the DFB vice-president responsible for youth development, in Mönchengladbach on Wednesday. And Germany sporting director Hansi Flick was also present at the awards.
Bayer 04 have secured the services of Serbia U19 international Aleksa Damjanovic for next season. The 17-year-old centre-forward will move from Red Star Belgrade to Leverkusen in the summer on a long-term contract. The 1.98 metre tall striker is regarded as one of the most promising attacking talents in Europe and has recently impressed with strong performances at both first team and youth level. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes and director of football Kim Falkenberg particularly praise his finishing, heading ability and physical presence in the penalty area.
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The Bayer 04 eSports team made a great start to the fifth and final showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26! The Leverkusen players picked up nine points in the first three of six matches in the online preliminary round. Victories against VfL Wolfsburg, Eintracht Braunschweig and SpVgg Greuther Fürth not only put the Black and Reds in a good position to progress to the offline round. Valuable points were also collected for the overall table and direct entry into the final event of the German Club Championship.
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The fifth and final showdown of the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 begins for the #B04eSports team this Thursday, 12 February (live on the VBL Twitch channel from 18:00 CET), with the online preliminary round kicking off against VfL Wolfsburg, Eintracht Braunschweig and SpVgg Greuther Fürth. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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A Friday night derby, carnival time and floodlights: In the close race for third place in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga, the Werkself welcome FC Köln. In addition to the neighbourly rivalry, the match, kicking off at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium at 18:30 CET, is also a highly charged sporting encounter.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed a contract extension with women’s assistant coach Friederike Mehring until 30 June 2027. The 32-year-old’s previous deal was set to expire at the end of the season.
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