Back
14.10.2020Bayer 04

Internationals: Grill and Wirtz in action with U21s

The Germany U21s, with two Werkself players in the starting eleven, have clocked up the next victory in the Euro qualifiers and Exequiel Palacios played the full 90 minutes with Argentina in a World Cup qualifier in South America.
crop_imago0048748599h.jpg

Perfect support for the Germany U21s arrived a few minutes before kick-off in the Euro qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Fürth: Underdogs Moldova secured a surprise win against Belgium who had been top of Group 9 up to that point. And the team under coach Stefan Kuntz knew how to make the most of the situation shortly after that. Lukas Nmecha (RSC Anderlecht) scored the opening goal on the half-hour mark.

While Lennart Grill went the full distance between the sticks and again kept a clean sheet after the 5-0 win against Moldova four days ago, Florian Wirtz went off injured after 26 minutes. “He had problems with his stomach muscles in a different place. We agreed to always be open with each other and that’s why we took him off early as a precaution,” said Germany coach Kuntz about the youngest Germany U21 international of all time.

Germany end the qualifiers on 17 November against Wales with everything in their own hands. A draw could be enough to qualify for the European Championships as the group winners are joined in the finals in Slovenia and Hungary by the five best second-placed teams.

Germany: Draw against Switzerland

The senior Germany team entertained Switzerland in the Nations League on Tuesday night. The team under coach Joachim Löw were already two goals down after 26 minutes but Timo Werner pulled one back just before the break to make it 2-1 at half-time. Former Werkself player Kai Havertz levelled shortly after the restart and Serge Gnabry scored on the hour mark to equalise at 3-3. The Leverkusen player Jonathan Tah did not come on against Switzerland.

Germany have three games in the international break in November. Against the Czech Republic and Ukraine in Leipzig before the clash with Spain in the Nations League.

Palacios and Aránguiz go full distance

Vital points have been at stake in South America in the race to qualify for the World Cup. After beating Ecuador, Argentina were away to Bolivia on Tuesday night. Bayer 04 player Exequiel Palacios, like the captain Lionel Messi, played the full 90 minutes as La Albiceleste registered their next victory: ‘Pala’ and Co. won 2-1 in La Paz. Lucas Alario did not play.

crop_imago0048749475h.jpg
In Chile’s draw with Colombia: Bayer 04 captain Charles Aránguiz (centre) in challenge with James Rodriguez.

Like Palacios, the Werkself captain Charles Aránguiz was also on the pitch for 90 minutes at the end of this international break. After the opening defeat in Uruguay, Chile picked up a first point with a 2-2 draw against Colombia.

Diaby wins with France U21s

Like Grill and Wirtz, Moussa Diaby was in action for France looking to qualify for the Euro finals next year – and that was secured with a 1-0 home win against Slovakia. Diaby, who recovered from a minor foot injury from the Stuttgart game (3 October), was substituted on 76 minutes.

Werkself central defender Edmond Tapsoba has been playing in Africa: The 21-year-old went the full distance in a 2-1 win for Burkina Faso in a friendly against Madagascar on Monday night.

players and outstanding fixtures:

Aleksandar Dragovic and Julian Baumgartlinger (Austria):
Wednesday, 14 October (20.45 CEST/live on DAZN): Romania v Austria (UEFA Nations League)

Lukas Hradecky (Finland):
Wednesday, 14 October (18.00 CEST/live on DAZN): Finland v Ireland (UEFA Nations League)

Tin Jedvaj (Croatia):
Wednesday, 14 October (20.45 CEST/live on DAZN): Croatia v France (UEFA Nations League)

Related News

Kurzpässe vor #M05B04
Bundesliga - 18.10.2025

Matchday News #M05B04: Great backing at tough-tackling Mainz

Kasper Hjulmand managed 1. FSV Mainz 05 during the 2014/15 season. Now he returns to the MEWA ARENA as head coach of Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Saturday 18 October (kick-off 15:30 CEST). The record against the 05ers as well as the hosts' underwhelming start to the season favour the Werkself, but other stats and comments reveal a battling Mainz side who are determined to get back on track. The Matchday News brings you the latest ahead of the Bundesliga Matchday 7 clash.

Show more
Paulina Bartz und Ida Daedelow
Women - 18.10.2025

Werkself host second-placed Wolfsburg three days after derby

Bayer 04 Women have less than 72 hours to recover from the rearranged derby against Köln. Coach Roberto Pätzold's side host VfL Wolfsburg, who are level on points, in a crunch match at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion on Sunday (kick-off 17:15 CEST).

Show more
Die PK vor dem Auswärtsspiel in Mainz | 7. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 17.10.2025

Hjulmand ahead of #M05B04: ‘It’s just about getting the win’

Bayer 04 return from the international break with a trip to Mainz in the Bundesliga on Saturday. Ahead of the Matchday 7 fixture, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke at his press conference on Friday about the 05ers, returning to his former club and provided a fitness update on the squad.

Show more
Mainz 05
Bundesliga - 17.10.2025

Our next opponents: Mainz going back to basics

Mainz were one of the surprise packages of last season as their power football earned them a sixth-place finish a return to Europe after nine years with qualification for the UEFA Conference League. Things aren’t going as well for the 05ers this term, as they prepare to host Bayer 04 on Matchday 7 in the Bundesliga still searching for a positive result at home.

Show more
Media Visit international
Bayer 04 - 17.10.2025

Latin American Media Visit the BayArena

A group of journalists representing Latin American and Spanish-language media outlets visited the BayArena on Thursday for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Bayer 04 and interviews with key personnel that have driven the team’s brand to new heights internationally over the last few years.

Show more