A clash of major importance with Leverkusen -layers involved will be played in Prague on Thursday night, 26 March, when the Czechs host Ireland in the semi-finals of the European World Cup play-offs. Kick-off is at 20:45 pm. Should Patrik Schick and Co. prevail, their opponents in the decider for the World Cup ticket on Tuesday 31 March will be either Denmark or North Macedonia.
Five other Werkself players have friendlies with their national teams in preparation for the World Cup in the summer. Among others, Alejandro Grimaldo plays with Spain against Serbia, Malik Tillman with the USA faces Portugal and Ibrahim Maza and Algeria will play against Uruguay.
Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso) and Christian Kofane (Cameroon) did not qualify for the World Cup with their national teams, but will also play two friendlies each. Ernest Poku is with the Netherlands U21s, Montrell Culbreath is set to play for the Germany U19s and Axel Tape has been called up to the France U19 squad.
Last week, around three months before the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the film ‘A Summer in Italy - World Cup 1990’ was released in cinemas across Germany. This emotional documentary provides new, intimate insights from the players into the tournament, which was historic from a German perspective as winners.
International fixtures:
Patrik Schick (Czechia)
Thursday, 26/03: Czechia vs Ireland (World Cup qualifier, play-offs)
Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain)
Friday, 27/03: Spain vs Serbia (Friendly)
Monday, 30/03: Spain vs Egypt (Friendly)
Mark Flekken (Netherlands)
Friday, 27/03: Netherlands vs Norway (Friendly)
Tuesday, 31/03: Netherlands vs Ecuador (Friendly)
Exequiel Palacios (Argentina)
Saturday, 28.03: Argentina vs Mauritania (Friendly)
Wednesday, 01.04: Argentina vs Zambia (Friendly)
Malik Tillman (USA)
Saturday, 28/03: USA vs Belgium (Friendly)
Wednesday, 01/04: USA vs Portugal (Friendly)
Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso)
Saturday, 28/03: Burkina Faso vs Guinea-Bissau (Friendly)
Tuesday, 31/03: Burkina Faso vs Guinea-Bissau (Friendly)
Ibrahim Maza (Algeria)
Friday, 27/03: Algeria vs Guatemala (Friendly)
Tuesday, 31/03: Algeria vs Uruguay (Friendly)
Christian Kofane (Cameroon)
Friday 27/03: Australia vs Cameroon (Friendly)
Tuesday, 31/03: China vs Cameroon (Friendly)
Ernest Poku (Netherlands U21)
Friday, 27/03: Norway vs Netherlands (European Championship qualifier)
Montrell Culbreath (Germany U19)
Wednesday, 25/03: Germany vs Sweden (European Championship qualifier)
Saturday, 28/03: Germany vs Greece (European Championship qualifier)
Tuesday, 31/03: Austria vs Germany (European Championship qualifier)
Axel Tape (France U19)
Wednesday, 25/03: Norway vs France (European Championship qualifier)
Saturday, 28/03: France vs Switzerland (European Championship qualifier)
Tuesday, 31/03: France vs Croatia (European Championship qualifier)
A round-up of the Werkself training camp in the Weimarer Land, all in one place: in our daily blog you’ll find all the insights and updates from the day. Day four (Wednesday 5 August) is all about training. The day begins with a gruelling open training session – new signing Miguel Gutiérrez also takes part. A second session follows in the afternoon, this time behind closed doors.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Spanish left-back Miguel Gutiérrez from Napoli. The 25-year-old has signed a contract with the club to 30 June 2031. Gutiérrez came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid; he moved to Italy a year ago from Girona, and he played a key role for Napoli with 36 appearances. The big Italian club finished last season as runners-up in Serie A.
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New signing Miguel Gutiérrez arrives in Leverkusen having won the Champions League, the Spanish league title and an Olympic gold medal. However, the 25-year-old Spaniard, signed from Napoli, is looking to the future – he wants to write the next chapter of success with the Werkself. Bayer04.de takes a closer look at the skilful, attack-minded left-back, who will wear the number 3 jersey.
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The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. Day three (Tuesday 4 August) begins with a thorough open session on the pitch. After lunch, some players have media engagements at the team hotel, and then the team come together for a barbecue in the evening.
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