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 #ELVB04
Bundesliga - 29.08.2026

Matchday news #ELVB04: Bundesliga opener against newcomer with strong attack

The Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..

Show more
Autogrammstunde
Bayer 04 - 28.08.2026

Fanwelt event following UEL draw: Autograph session with Culbreath and Sergio

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.

Show more
UEL-Auslosung Grafik
Europa League - 28.08.2026

Europa League group stage draw: Home games against Marseille and Beşiktaş

Bayer 04’s eight opponents in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League have now been confirmed. During the draw on Friday 28 August at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, the Werkself were drawn against two opponents from each of the four pots. As usual, there will be a total of four home and four away matches. The group stage begins on 16/17 September.

Show more
Die PK vor dem Bundesliga-Auftakt in Elversberg | 1. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 28.08.2026

Martínez ahead of league opener: ‘I want to see energy and passion’

The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.

Show more
Los Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Europa League - 28.08.2026

Potential UEFA Europa League opponents for the Werkself in 2026/27

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.

Show more