
Leno looked focused and assured over the full 90 minutes in the 4-1 win and he was not at fault with the goal scored for the hosts by Dimitri Nazarov. It was Leno’s fourth cap for Germany. Julian Brandt, who played against England in Wednesday’s friendly, did not get the chance to make his sixth international appearance in Baku. Germany are well on course to qualify for next summer’s World Cup with a perfect record in the group to date.
Switzerland, with Admir Mehmedi in their ranks, have also picked up maximum points so far. The 26-year-old earned his 50th cap for Switzerland against Latvia and he provided the assist with a fine cross for the only goal of the game scored by former Leverkusen, and now Gladbach, striker Josip Drmic.
Kevin Kampl was the last Werkself player to appear over the weekend in Slovenia’s game against Scotland at Hampden Park. Kampl was substituted on 87 minutes just before Chris Martin scored the winner for Scots. Slovenia are third in Group F on eight points with England on top with 13 points.
Julian Baumgartlinger returned early from international duty on Sunday night. The Austria skipper is suffering with a toe injury ruling him out of Tuesday’s qualifier against Finland.


Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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One ticket, two matches – and a varied programme of events, including appearances by players from the professional teams: Bayer 04 has come up with something very special for the 2026 season launch on Saturday, 8 August. From morning right through to the evening, Werkself fans can use just one ticket to not only enjoy top-class football from the Bayer 04 teams live, but also to experience unforgettable moments with the whole family through a variety of hands-on activities around the BayArena and the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The day will also end on a real high note: after both matches, Bayer 04 supporters will have the opportunity to interact directly with the players during joint activities and get to know them from a different angle.
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