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9.09.2020Bayer 04

International update: Diaby the only winner

Lukas Hradecky, Joel Pohjanpalo and Jonathan Tah returned to the training ground at the BayArena on Tuesday. Five other Werkself players were on duty with their national teams at the start of the week. Only Moussa Diaby was able to get a result with his team at the end of the international break.
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The winger was in the starting eleven on Monday night for the France U21s in Azerbaijan. The game ended in a 2-1 victory that saw Moussa Diaby and Co. secure important points in the race to qualify for the U21 European Championships next year. France remain second in Group 2 but are top in the rankings of the second-placed teams – making qualification for the Euros appear almost certain.

Also on Monday night, Austria entertained Romania in the Nations League. Werkself stalwart Julian Baumgartlinger led his team onto the field as captain with Aleksandar Dragovic on the bench this time. Austria were unable to build on their 2-1 win in the opening game against Norway; they suffered a 3-2 defeat against Romania. Baumgartlinger and Co. are now second in Group 1 (League B).

Grill and Co. lose to Belgium

There was a double blow for the Germany U21s, with Werkself keeper Lennart Grill in the side, in the middle of the first half against Belgium. Central defender Amos Pieper was shown a red card on 18 minutes for a professional foul and the resulting free kick ended up in the back of the net (19'). Lukas Nmecha levelled for Germany on the half-hour mark. However, the hosts succeeded in clocking up a 4-1 win. Grill and Co. now have to worry about qualifying for the U21 European Championships. Germany are currently fifth in the ranking of second-placed teams – the last position that ensures qualification for the Euros.

Jedvaj misses defeat

There was a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final in Paris on Tuesday night. World Cup winners France entertained Croatia in League A (Group 3) of the Nations League – and again left the pitch as winners. At the end of an entertaining encounter, the French side secured a 4-2 victory. Werkself player Tin Jedvaj did not play for Croatia on the night.

 

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