Following the 3-0 victory in the opening match in Norway Germany continued to shine on matchday two in Group C with a convincing 3-0 win in the World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic in Hamburg. Thomas Müller, who scored twice against the Scandinavians, was on target again with another brace and Toni Kroos netted the other goal for Joachim Löw’s team. Julian Brandt replaced Julian Draxler on 80 minutes to win his fourth full international cap for Germany. Bernd Leno and Kevin Volland did not feature in Hamburg.
Admir Mehmedi and Switzerland are on course in Group B. The 2-0 win against reigning European champions Portugal in the first match was followed by a 3-2 victory over Hungary to put the Swiss top of the table on maximum points ahead of the Faroe Islands (4) and Portugal (3). The Werkself pro, on from the start, was replaced late on by the Valentin Stocker with the Hertha Berlin midfielder scoring the winner on 88 minutes. Adam Szalai (Hoffenheim) twice levelled for Hungary to cancel out goals from Haris Seferovic (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Rodrigo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg).
The Germany U21 team secured a 4-3 win against Russia in Ingolstadt to qualify for next year’s European Championships. Germany, now coached by Stefan Kuntz in place of Horst Hrubesch, earned a ninth win in their ninth qualifier. Jonathan Tah played the full 90 minutes in central defence and he had a good game. Benjamin Henrichs did not play.
Henrichs back with the Werkself
Ahead of Tuesday’s final group match against Austria in St. Pölten Henrichs returns to Leverkusen as the youngster has seen a lot of action for the Werkself in recent weeks. Stefan Kuntz agreed the move in discussion with Bayer 04 head coach Roger Schmidt.
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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