Germany play two friendlies against Turkey in Berlin and Austria in Vienna. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has called up Florian Wirtz, Jonathan Tah, Jonas Hofmann and Robert Andrich.
Alejandro Grimaldo has been called up to the Spain squad for the first time. The left wing-back, who has scored seven goals and provided seven assists for Bayer 04 in his 15 games to date, is in the Spain squad for two qualifiers for Euro 2024 in Germany next year – the opponents are Cyprus and Georgia. Grimaldo on his first call-up for Spain: "I've waited for it for a long time and now I want to use the chance. Since I was a child I've had the dream and aim of playing for the national team. I'm very proud, it's the reward for years of hard work."
Granit Xhaka has been called up by Switzerland for three qualifiers for the European Championships to be played in Germany next year – the opponents are Israel, Kosovo and Romania. The Switzerland captain could – providing he plays – become the most capped Swiss player. Jeremie Frimpong and the Netherlands face Ireland and Gibraltar, Lukas Hradecky with Finland is set to play against Northern Ireland and San Marino, and the Czechia duo of Adam Hlozek and Matej Kovar play Poland and Moldova.
Other Bayer 04 players will be in action in qualifiers for 2026 World Cup to be played in USA, Mexico and Canada. Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella with Nigeria face Lesotho and Zimbabwe. This is the first call-up to the Nigeria squad for Tella. Amine Adli with Morocco is set play Eritrea and Tanzania.
Other international call-ups remain to be confirmed.
INTERNATIONAL CALL-UPS TO DATE
Florian Wirtz, Jonathan Tah, Jonas Hofmann and Robert Andrich (Germany)
18.11: Germany vs Turkey (Berlin/friendly)
21.11: Austria vs Germany (Vienna/friendly)
Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain)
16.11: Cyprus vs Spain (Kolossi/Euro 2024 qualifier)
19.11: Spain vs Georgia (Valladolid/Euro 2024 qualifier)
Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)
15.11: Israel vs Switzerland (St. Gallen/Euro 2024 qualifier)
18.11: Switzerland vs Kosovo (Basel/Euro 2024 qualifier)
21.11: Romania vs Switzerland (Euro 2024 qualifier)
Jeremie Frimpong (Niederlande)
18.11: Netherlands vs Ireland (Amsterdam/Euro 2024 qualifier)
21.11: Gibraltar vs Netherlands (Faro/Euro 2024 qualifier)
Lukas Hradecky (Finland)
17.11: Finland vs Northern Ireland (Helsinki/Euro 2024 qualifier)
20.11: San Marino vs Finland (Serravalle/Euro 2024 qualifier)
Adam Hlozek, Matej Kovar (Czechia)
17.11: Poland vs Czechia (Warsaw/Euro 2024 qualifier)
20.11: Czechia vs Moldova (Olomouc/Euro 2024 qualifier)
Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface (Nigeria)
16.11: Nigeria vs Lesotho (Uyo/World Cup qualifier)
19.11: Zimbabwe vs Nigeria (Ruye/World Cup qualifier)
Amine Adli (Morocco)
16.11: Morocco vs Eritrea (Agadir/World Cup qualifier)
21.11: Tanzania vs Morocco (Dar es Salaam/World Cup qualifier)
Sandwiched between their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off tie against Olympiacos, Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action on Saturday with a trip to Union Berlin (kick-off: 15:30 CET). It’s a fixture of contrasting styles, with Leverkusen preferring to control the play while Union look to remain compact and counter. The Berliners are therefore suited to facing top teams, but they have only ever managed to win one of 16 meetings with the Werkself, who are looking for a fifth clean sheet of 2026 but will need to beware the home side’s threat from set pieces. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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After six wins in seven games, the Werkself will be looking to continue their winning run in the capital at FC Union Berlin. Coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke ahead of the match on Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET) about defenders, the short preparation time and the condition of the pitch at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
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Union Berlin have performed particularly well against the top clubs in the Bundesliga this season with a draw at home to Bayern Munich and wins against VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig. This Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET), the Irons now welcome the Werkself, currently sixth in the table, to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. And the hosts are in desperate need of a win. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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It took exactly 60 minutes for the Werkself to take the lead through a perfectly finished counter-attack by Patrik Schick in the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-off at Olympiacos. Referring to the meeting in the league phase and the initially squandered opportunities, coach Kasper Hjulmand said afterwards: "I thought: 'Oh no, déjà-vu.'" But after the opening goal, it took just 144 seconds for the Czech to spark more wild celebrations among those in black and red in the Greek cauldron, when Schick nodded in Alejandro Grimaldo's corner. Much to the delight of the Bayer 04 fans, his teammates and his coach, who had warm words for the striker in the aftermath. The Werkself Review.
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