Germany beat the Czech Republic 1-0 in a friendly. Luca Waldschmidt, at Benfica since the summer, scored the only goal of the game in Leipzig on 13 minutes. Werkself central defender Jonathan Tah started and succeeded in keeping a clean sheet together with his teammates. Nadiem Amiri came on for Jonas Hofmann (Borussia Mönchengladbach) on 18 minutes and he primarily made his mark in the attack.
On Saturday 14 November (kick-off: 20.45 CET/live on ZDF), Germany are in action in the UEFA Nations League again - also in Leipzig. The opponents in Group 4 (League A) are Ukraine level on points but behind Jogi Löw’s team in third due to an inferior goal difference.
Like the German duo, the Werkself players Julian Baumgartlinger and Aleksandar Dragovic were able to celebrate a win. The Leverkusen players were in the Austria line-up in Luxembourg with Franco Foda’s team having the upper hand in a 3-0 win. While Dragovic came on for the start of the second half, Baumgartlinger came off the bench on 81 minutes. The midfielder set up the second and third goals in the closing stages.
On Sunday 15 November (kick-off: 20.45 CET/live on DAZN) Austria entertain Northern Ireland in Group 1 (League B) of the Nations League. The Austrians could consolidate first place with another win.
Finland were also in action on Wednesday night. At the Stade de France (Paris), the surprise participants in the next Euros faced World Cup winners France - and they ran out 2-0 winners with a double strike in the first half (28’/31’). Werkself first choice keeper Lukas Hradecky, who is normally the number one for his country, was rested and remained on the bench.
Finland are also set to play in the Nations League in the coming days. They play Bulgaria on 15 November (kick-off: 18.00 CET/live on DAZN) in Group 4 (League B).
Jonathan Tah and Nadiem Amiri (both Germany):
Saturday, 14 November (20.45 CET/live on ZDF): Germany v Ukraine (UEFA Nations League)
Tuesday, 17 November (20.45 CET/live on ARD): Spain v Germany (UEFA Nations League)
Lennart Grill and Florian Wirtz (both Germany U21):
Thursday, 12 November (18.15 CET): Germany U21 v Slovenia U21 (U21 Euro qualifier)
Tuesday, 17 November (18.15 CET): Germany U21 v Wales U21 (U21 Euro qualifier)
Aleksandar Dragovic and Julian Baumgartlinger (both Austria):
Sunday, 15 November (20.45 CET/live on DAZN): Austria v Northern Ireland (UEFA Nations League)
Wednesday, 18 November (20.45 CET/live on DAZN): Austria v Norway (UEFA Nations League)
Lukas Hradecky (Finland):
Sunday, 15 November (18 CET/live on DAZN): Bulgaria v Finland (UEFA Nations League)
Wednesday, 18 November (20.45 CET/live on DAZN): Wales v Finland (UEFA Nations League)
Moussa Diaby (France U21):
Thursday, 12 November (20.45 CET): Liechtenstein U21 v France U21 (U21 Euro qualifier)
Monday, 16 November (21.00 CET): France U21 v Switzerland U21 (U21 Euro qualifier)
Lucas Alario and Exequiel Palacios (both Argentina):
Friday, 13 November (01.00 CET): Argentina v Paraguay (World Cup qualifier)
Wednesday, 18 November (01.30 CET): Peru v Argentina (World Cup qualifier)
Leon Bailey (Jamaica):
Saturday, 14 November (18.00 CET): Saudi Arabia v Jamaica (Friendly)
Tuesday, 17 November (18.00 CET): Saudi Arabia v Jamaica (Friendly)
Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso):
Thursday, 12 November (19.00 CET): Burkina Faso v Malawi (Africa Cup qualifiers)
Monday, 16 November (15.00 CET): Malawi v Burkina Faso (Africa Cup qualifiers)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
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Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
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Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
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