In their second game in the Nations League, following the 0-0 draw in the opener against France, Germany suffered a 3-0 defeat to neighbours Holland. Virgil Van Dijk put the hosts 1-0 up from a corner on the half-hour mark in Amsterdam. Germany missed three good chances in the first half with Thomas Müller (2) and Timo Werner failing to find the back of the net. Joachim Löw's team also had chances to score after the restart with the best falling to Leroy Sané (65') and Julian Draxler (70'). Julian Brandt came on to replace debutant Mark Uth on 68 minutes to make his 21st appearance for Germany but he was unable to turn the game round. Goals from Memphis Depay (86') and Georginio Wijnaldum (90+3') sealed the win late on.
Jonathan Tah, who captained the Germany U21s to a 2-1 victory over Norway on Friday night to secure a place in next year's European Championship finals in Italy and San Marino, was called up to the senior squad by Germany coach Joachim Löw on Saturday for Tuesday's Nations League game in France.
Tin Jedvaj was in the starting line-up for World Cup runners-up Croatia for the 0-0 draw against England in Rijeka. The match was played behind closed doors – Croatia received a ban from UEFA in 2015. In the re-run of one of the semi-final games at the World Cup in Russia, Jedvaj went the full distance at right back. Austria beat Northern Ireland 1-0 in the Nations League (Group B). Aleksandar Dragovic was brought ob by coach Franco Foda in the final minutes of the game to help seal the win .
Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky kept a clean sheet in the third international game in succession for Finland in Group C of the Nations League. The former Schalke player Teemu Pukki scored the only goal of the game against Estonia in added time. Sweden drew 0-0 with Russia in Group B of the Nations League. Isaac Kiese Thelin started in Kaliningrad but was substituted on 71 minutes.
In the 1-1 draw for the Germany U20s against Holland in Meppen, Sam Schreck had as little impact as Jakub Bednarczyk in the Poland U20's 3-0 win against the Czech Republic.
Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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The champions of Slovenia NK Celje are in a European competition for the fourth time in their history. This Wednesday, 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the side lead by head coach Vitor Campelos visit the BayArena for matchday 1 in the group stage in the UEFA Europa League. Celje’s last match at the weekend did not go to plan. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Construction work continues on the ‘Haus der Talente’ on Kurtekottenweg in Leverkusen, where 36 young elite athletes will find a new home from next summer. The building team from Temmink Bau, led by Thomas Wellers, are hard at work. Over the past few days, excavators, wheeled loaders and rollers have removed 2,500 cubic metres of soil to excavate the basement.
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