While the five Bayer 04 players at the Euros all picked up three points for openers, the two Leverkusen players at the Copa América shared the points, the clash between Argentina with Exequiel Palacios and Chile with Charles Aránguiz ended all square at 1-1 after 90 minutes. Our number 25 came on for the Albiceleste on 68 minutes; Werkself captain Aránguiz went the full distance. The goals were scored by Lionel Messi (33') and the former Hoffenheim player Eduardo Vargas (57').
The next matches for the black and red duo take place this week: Chile play Bolivia on Friday, 18 June at 23.00 CEST, and Argentina take on Uruguay three hours later. The fifth team in Group A is Paraguay; four of the five teams from the two groups will go through.
Aleksandar Dragovic’s participation in Austria's opening match in the Euros against North Macedonia (3-1) ended at half-time. The central defender, who will play for Red Star Belgrade next season, suffered a cut from an elbow during the first half. As announced by the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB), the 30-year-old suffered a "double contused lateral wound to the right eye". Dragovic did have stitches but there was no sign of concussion according to ÖFB. Accordingly, he will now take part in individual recovery training.
Patrik Schick could hardly have had a better opening afternoon at the Euros. The 25-year-old Werkself centre-forward netted a brace for the Czech Republic in the 2-0 win against Scotland. Our number 14 first scored with his head and then with an incredible long-range shot from the halfway line – the unofficial title of the "best goal of the Euros" would appear to be heading his way. For anybody who missed it, you can see the goal again HERE. And anybody who has seen it: Just have a look at it again…
The victorious Leverkusen Euro quintet do not have much time to celebrate – the action continues almost straightaway. On Wednesday, 16 June (kick-off: 15.00 CEST), Finland with goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and striker Joel Pohjanpalo take on Russia. The day after that, Dragovic and Julian Baumgartlinger are with Austria for the game against the Netherlands (kick-off: 21.00 CEST). Then on Friday there is a meeting between Schick's Czech Republic and Croatia (kick-off: 18.00 CEST). Good luck for the rest of the tournament, lads!
Away from the pitch to another very important social issue: blood donation. As part of the World Blood Donor Day, Bayer 04 are supporting the campaign #missingtype run by the German Red Cross (DRK). Join in, donate blood and save lives. Click HERE to register (in Germany).
Moreover: As the blood donation session at the BayArena last year was a complete success, Bayer 04 will again organise the event at the Werkself home ground – this year on 5 August. More information will be available over the course of the week at bayer04.de.
Finally, we have a very special auction for you: At United Charity you have the opportunity up to 27 June to bid for football boots worn and signed by Lars and Sven Bender. HERE is the auction for the boots worn by Lars, HERE for Sven's.
We are taking the Day of German Unity and the anniversary as an opportunity to tell a story that befits the subject - that of Falko Götz. The long-serving player, who currently works in scouting at Bayer 04, spoke to bayer04.de about his youth in the GDR, his escape during an away game in Belgrade and how he identifies with Bayer 04.
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With seven points from five games, Union Berlin have made a decent start to the season. Particularly in the wins against VfB Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt, the Irons, who are otherwise known for their strong defence, impressively demonstrated they also have a lot to offer in attack. They will be looking to prove this once again at the BayArena on Saturday, 4 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST, match on Sky and highlights on DAZN). The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Derby time in the Rhineland! After a successful September, the Bayer 04 Women are away to FC Köln on Sunday, 4 October. In the Bundesliga match kicking off at 18:30 CEST at the Franz Kremer Stadium (live on MagentaSport and DAZN), coach Roberto Pätzold is counting on the return of a number of players who have been absent through injury.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Axel Tape for the time being.
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A special tribute to a German football legend: The pay-TV channel Sky has dedicated a documentary worth watching to the current Germany sporting director and former Bayer 04 player and sporting director Rudi Völler. In addition to Völler's impressive career, assessments from contemporaries and very private insights, the 90-minute film also covers his many years of commitment to Bayer 04. "Rudi Völler - The one and only" is now available exclusively on Sky and the associated streaming service WOW.
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