It was a final for German football history books. For the third time, following on from 2009 and 2017, the Germany U21 team with Bayer 04 youngsters Florian Wirtz and Lennart Grill won the European Championship title with a 1-0 victory against favourites Portugal. It proved to be a big attraction for the TV audience in Germany: 5.36 million Germans watched the second half of the final.
There will also have been satisfaction due to our number 27 with the publication of the results of the annual kicker players questionnaire. While Robert Lewandowski was the clear winner as the best outfield player of the season in 2020/21, Florian Wirtz was just behind Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) in second place in the vote for the Newcomer of the Year. 248 Bundesliga players took part in the questionnaire. Congratulations, Florian!
From the present to the past: 38 years ago today, a Bayer 04 player was called up to the national team for the first time and he secured a historical achievement from a Werkself perspective. On 7 June 1983, the then Germany coach Jupp Derwall brought on the 19-year-old Herbert Waas in place of Hansi Mueller in a friendly against Yugoslavia and thereby ensured the first international appearance for Germany by a Black and Red player.
Waas won eleven international caps scoring one goal and providing two assists. He played for the Werkself from 1982 to 1990 (84 goals, 7 assists).
The USA have won their first title in the CONCACAF Nations League. In the equivalent of the European UEFA Nations League, the Americans beat their rivals from Mexico in the final 3-2 after extra time. The winner was scored by Christian Pulisic, the Chelsea teammate of former Bayer 04 player Kai Havertz, on 114 minutes. For Mexico, the former Leverkusen player Andres Guardado missed the chance to level from the penalty spot (120+4'). Another former Werkself player Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández, who is the record scorer for Mexico with 52 goals, was not in the team as he has not played for El Tri since September 2019.
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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