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).
Bayer 04 remain unbeaten in the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. After winning the opener against NK Celje, the Werkself followed that up on Thursday night with a 4–0 win away at the Polish champions Lech Poznan. Patrik Schick, who came on as a substitute early in the game, scored twice from the penalty spot, and Malik Tillman also found the back of the net before half-time. The second half was a more subdued affair, with Ibrahim Maza scoring late on to seal the final 4-0 scoreline.
Show more
Since 2023, Bayer 04 has been organising regular free goalkeeping coach training sessions at the BayArena. As in previous years, the event attracted enormous interest in mid-October 2026. Around 140 participants – mostly goalkeeping coaches from the region, but also team and academy coaches as well as association staff – came to the Werkself stadium to gain expert knowledge on the subject of zonal marking. Through a theoretical keynote presentation and a practical session on the pitch, the participants gained insights into goalkeeping and goalkeeper training at Bayer 04.
Show more
A first for the Werkself: Today, Thursday 15 October (kick-off: 18:45 CEST), Bayer 04 face Lech Poznan for the first time on matchday 2 in the UEFA Europa League group. Although the Black and Reds have a flawless record against the only Polish opposition faced before, they must not underestimate the attacking ability and goal-scoring threat of the reigning champions from Poznan. Lech’s squad also includes two former Bundesliga players. Today's matchday news.
Show more
Some 30 years on since their last European fixture in Poland, Bayer 04 cross the border for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League clash against Lech Poznan on Matchday 2 of the league phase on Thursday (kick-off: 18:45 CEST). Ahead of a first-ever meeting with Lech, head coach Carles Martínez and winger Nathan Tella spoke in Poznan about special memories and objectives.
Show more
