That means Havertz, who not only staked a claim with his three goals in the first two Europa League group matches, is now unable to earn a second full international cap. Brandt has been a long standing member of the Germany squad. After the goalless draw against World Cup winners France in the first group match at the beginning of September, Germany urgently need a victory to avoid relegation from one of the top leagues in the newly created competition.
Jonathan Tah, recently also a member of the senior Germany squad, will gain experience as captain of the U21 side. In the European Championship qualifiers, the team coached by Stefan Kuntz play Norway (12 October in Ingolstadt, 20.00 CET) and Ireland (16 October in Heidenheim, 18.15 CET).
Lukas Hradecky is set to play for Finland (Goup C2) in the two Nations League games against Estonia (12 October in Tallin, 20.45 CET) followed by Greece (15 October in Tampere, 20.45 CET). The Finns start as league leaders with the Finland number one Hradecky keeping a clean sheet in the first two group matches.
And Austria team boss Franco Foda also opts for black and red power but he will be without his captain Julian Baumgartlinger who is currently in rehab after his collateral ligament tear. Aleksandar Dragovic is in the 24-man squad for the Nations League game (Group B2) against Northern Ireland (12 October in Vienna, 20.45 CET) and the friendly in Denmark (16 October in Herning, 20.45 CT). The same applies to Tin Jedvaj, who has again been called up to the World Cup runners-up squad by Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic. Next Friday (12 October in Rijeka, 20.45 CET) sees the Croats play England in the Nations League match in Group A4. That is followed three days later (15 October in Rijeka, 20.45 CET) by a friendly against Jordan. Isaac Kiese Thelin is in the Sweden squad for the Nations League game (Group B2) in Russia (10 October, 20.45 CET) and a friendly against Slovenia (16 October, 20.45 CET).
Also on the road are the two U20 internationals Jakub Bednarczyk (Poland) and Paulinho (Brazil).
Full-back Julia Mickenhagen is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the end of the season to join Bundesliga newcomers VfB Stuttgart. The 21-year-old’s contract with the club expires on 30 June.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 3-1 win at RB Leipzig on the 25th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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The Werkself need a win in their penultimate match of the season at RB Leipzig on Monday evening (18:00 CEST) to keep their hopes of third place alive until the final day. After Eintracht Frankfurt lost on Saturday, Roberto Pätzold's side can close the gap on their rivals to two points and leave it all to play for next Sunday.
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Werkself fans from across the New York City area gathered Saturday morning at Smithfield Hall in Manhattan to cheer on Bayer 04 in the club’s crucial Bundesliga showdown against VfB Stuttgart given the match’s big implications.
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In the next head-to-head clash for the Champions League places at VfB Stuttgart, Bayer 04 failed to follow up their impressive 4-1 win at home to RB Leipzig from the week before. After Aleix Garcia gave the Werkself the lead with their fastest goal of the season, the Swabians turned the game around and won 3-1, knocking Leverkusen down into sixth place. It leaves them needing a win at home to Hamburger SV and other results to go their way on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign in order to reclaim fourth spot. The Werkself Review has all the analysis and reaction from all those involved in an eventful encounter with VfB.
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