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.
Whether it's sport or his private live: Captain Edmond Tapsoba tells us his top three personal favourites in twelve categories in edition #56 of the Werkself Magazine. The defender had to answer as quickly as he reacts on the pitch. 'On the Podium' with Edmond Tapsoba!
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“Year after year, this is an incredibly valuable gathering, both in terms of the content covered and the opportunity for mutual discussion,” stressed Bayer 04 goalkeeping coach David Thiel in his welcoming address at this year’s goalkeeping coaches’ meeting. This was the third time in four seasons that the event had been held at the BayArena. Organised by the German Football Association (DFB), the meeting brought together goalkeeping coaches from the Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2 and the 3rd division from the west region. For the first time this year, goalkeeping coaches from the youth performance centres (NLZ) were also present. Bayer 04 fitness coach Markus Müller provided fascinating insights into the specific fitness training carried out with the Werkself’s goalkeepers.
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A floodlit derby, two further night games and a top-of-the-table clash on a Saturday afternoon: The German Football Association (DFB) has confirmed the exact dates for four further matchdays in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. This means all fixtures for the Bayer 04 women’s team up to the end of the year, as well as the first two in 2027, are now confirmed.
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It was another incredibly close call in the end: The second showdown in the 2026/27 VBL Club Championship saw the #B04eSports team once again narrowly miss out on a place in the top 16 of the preliminary round – and with it, a spot in the in-person knockout stage. It was a bitter blow: Marc and Sean Landwehr again fell just short, despite being level on points with their rivals. As was the case last month, their weaker record across the twelve individual matches in the six preliminary round fixtures proved decisive.
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Several Werkself players are set to represent their national teams during the final international break of 2026. Here’s an overview of who has been called up and the matches they will face in November. This article will be updated regularly.
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