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).
A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
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The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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