Back
8.09.2021Bayer 04

#InternationalWerkself: Bakker and Frimpong start and win

A Dutch Werkself duo start the qualifiers for the U21 European Championships with a win. In a direct clash between two Bayer 04 players, France come out on top with Moussa Diaby on the bench; Andrey Lunev and Russia also win.
crop_imago1006450464h.jpg

The first international break of the season is slowly but surely coming to an end. Four Bayer 04 players were in action on Tuesday night in the last matches before their return to Leverkusen.

Mitchel Bakker and Jeremie Frimpong were first up with the Netherlands U21s against Moldova. With the two Bayer 04 full-backs in the starting eleven, the Dutch team lived up to their billing as favourites in the opening qualifier for the U21 European Championships. The hosts netted all three goals in the 3-0 win in the first 54 minutes. Bakker, provider for the second goal scored by the Hertha Berlin new signing Jürgen Ekkelenkamp, was substituted on 66 minutes. Frimpong played for another 15 minutes.

Hradecky and Co. lose to world champions

The Werkself captain Lukas Hradecky and his Finland teammates faced a considerably stiffer challenge. In a World Cup qualifier game in Group D there was an away game at the reigning World Cup winners who ended up winning 2-0 thanks to a brace from Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann. Hradecky went the full distance, striker Joel Pohjanpalo (now on loan at Caykur Rizespor) played up to the 73rd minute. Moussa Diaby did not feature for France in this game.

imago1006452059h.jpg

The World Cup winners are opening up a clear lead in the group but Finland are still in with a good chance of making the play-offs. Having played one game less than second-placed Ukraine, Hradecky and Co. are currently third on the same number of points.

Russia on course

Russia are also on course for the World Cup finals in Group H. The favourites beat Malta 2-0 in Moscow, Werkself keeper Andrey Lunev did not play.

REMAINING INTERNATIONAL FIXTURES:

Charles Aránguiz (World Cup qualifier)

10.9., 01.00 CEST, Colombia vs Chile, Bogota

Piero Hincapie (World Cup qualifier)

10.9., 00.30 CEST, Uruguay vs Ecuador, Montevideo

Exequiel Palacios (World Cup qualifier)

10.9., 01.30 CEST, Argentina vs Bolivia, Buenos Aires

Panos Retsos (World Cup qualifier)

8.9., 20.45 CEST, Greece vs Sweden, Athens

Florian Wirtz (World Cup qualifier)

8.9., 20.45 CEST, Iceland vs Germany, Reykjavik

Related News

Julie Jorde
Women - 28.06.2025

Julie Jorde makes permanent move to Brøndby IF

The Norway U23 international Julie Jorde has completed the move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Brøndby IF. The twelve-time champions of Denmark have signed the midfielder on permanent terms after her loan move from the Bundesliga to Denmark in the winter.

Show more
Faye und Falkenberg
Bayer 04 - 27.06.2025

Bayer 04 sign Senegalese central defender Faye

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the Senegalese central defender Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old joins the Bundesliga side from Swedish top-flight club BK Häcken. Faye has penned a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2030.

Show more
Bundesliga-Spielplan
Bundesliga - 27.06.2025

Bundesliga fixtures 2025/26: Werkself host Hoffenheim in opener

The German Football League (DFL) has published the fixture list for the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. Bayer 04 start the new season with a home game against TSG Hoffenheim. The first away game for the Werkself is at Werder Bremen. The final Bundesliga fixture is on 16 May 2026 against newly promoted Hamburg SV with a 15:30 CEST kick-off at the BayArena.

Show more
Paulina Bartz
Women - 27.06.2025

Bayer 04 agree new deal with Paulina Bartz

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have given offensive player Paulina Bartz a long-term contract. The 20-year-old has penned a new deal to 30 June 2027.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 26.06.2025

Wirtz voted Bayer 04 ‘Player of the Season’ for 2024/25

Germany international Florian Wirtz has been voted Bayer 04 ‘Player of the Season’ for the second time in a row. The 21-year-old, who will play for Premier League champions Liverpool next season, received more than half of all votes cast in the annual poll organised by Bayer 04.

Show more