Marco Reus netted the opener on 10 minutes in the first of a flurry of German goals. The Dortmund player and future team-mate of Julian Brandt double his tally on 37 minutes and he made a significant contribution to Germany's success. Serge Gnabry (17', 62'), Leon Goretzka (20'), Ilkay Gündogan (26'), Timo Werner (79') and Leroy Sané (88') scored the other goals for Germany.
The Austria team led by national coach Franco Foda also recorded a victory. The Austrians beat North Macedonia 4-1 on Monday in the Euro 2020 qualifier. Bayer 04 defender Aleksandar Dragovic went off injured at half-time with a groin problem. Julian Baumgartlinger was not in the Austria squad. The 31-year-old is still struggling with an inflammation to his ankle picked up in the match against Slovenia last Friday.
Bayer 04 keeper Lucas Hradecky was in goal for Finland for 90 minutes in the 2-0 win against Liechtenstein in the Euro qualifier and – as in the game against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday (2-0) – he kept a clean sheet. World Cup runners-up Croatia lost 2-1 against Tunisia in a friendly on Tuesday night. Defender Tin Jedvaj was on the bench for the full 90 minutes as was the junior international Marc Lampti for Tunisia.
Next games for our internationals:
Jonathan Tah (Germany U21)
Monday, 17 June (21.00 CET, Udine): Germany U21 v Denmark U21 (Euros, Group stage)
Thursday, 20 June (21.00 CET, Trieste): Germany U21 v Serbia U21 (Euros, Group stage)
Sunday, 23 June (21.00 CET, Udine): Austria U21 v Germany U21 (Euros, Group stage)
Charles Aránguiz (Chile)
Tuesday, 18 June (01.00 CETr, Sao Paulo): Japan v Chile (Copa America, Group stage)
Saturday, 22 June (01.00 CET, Salvador): Ecuador v Chile (Copa America, Group stage)
Tuesday, 25 June (01.00 CET, Rio de Janeiro): Chile v Uruguay (Copa America, Group stage)
Leon Bailey (Jamaica)
Tuesday, 18 June 03.00 CET, Kingston): Jamaica v Honduras (Gold Cup, Group stage)
Saturday, 22 June (01.00 CET, Houston): El Salvador v Jamaica (Gold Cup, Group stage)
Wednesday, 26 June (02.00 CET, Los Angeles): Jamaica v Curaçao (Gold Cup, Group stage)
Marc Lampti (Tunisia)
Monday, 24 June (19.00 CET, Suez): Tunisia v Angola (Africa Cup, Group stage)
Friday, 28 June (19.00 CET, Suez): Tunisia v Mali (Africa Cup, Group stage)
Tuesday, 2 July (19.00 CET, Suez): Tunisia v Mauritania (Africa Cup, Group stage)
Paulinho (Brazil U22)
Tuesday, 11 June to Thursday, 13 June: Play-offs (Maurice Revello Tournament)
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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