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6.09.2018Bayer 04

International round-up: Havertz debut put back

After two matchdays, there are no Bundesliga games this weekend. But football is still being played: The first international fixtures after the World Cup are on the agenda – either friendlies or matches in the new Nations League competition for European teams. Seven Werkself players were on international duty last night.
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Germany played World Cup winners France in their first outing in the newly created European competition (Group A). In the first match since the early exit in Russia, Joachim Löw's team were on top for much of the game but failed to convert their chances and the  encounter ended in a 0-0 draw –Julian Brandt, Kai Havertz and Jonathan Tah did not get on so  Havertz has to wait for his debut on the international stage. That could happen on Sunday (9 September, 20.45 CET) when Germany play Peru in a friendly in Sinsheim.

Aleksandar Dragovic (Austria), Issac Kiese Thelin (Sweden), Tin Jedvaj (Croatia) were in action with their national teams in friendlies on Thursday night: Austria beat Sweden 2-0 in Vienna. Kiese Thelin played in the first half for the visitors and Dragovic came off the bench for Austria for the second half. At the same time, World Cup runners-up drew 1-1 with Portugal – Jedvaj came on after 35 minutes.

 Jakub Bednarczyk started for the Poland U20s (substituted on 85 minutes) in a 3-0 defeat against Italy in an eight team tournament in Lodz. New signing Paulinho played for the Brazil U20 team on Wednesday  in 1-0 victory away to Mexico. 

Wendell back in training

While their team-mates are away from Leverkusen on international duty, the rest of the Werkself in Leverkusen continue with their training regime. After the closed session on Wednesday, Herrlich's squad trained again yesterday morning. Good news: Wendell has recovered from the knock he picked up against Wolfsburg, which sidelined him for the past few days – the Brazilian full-back completed an individual 45-minute session on the neighbouring pitch. 

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