Regardless of the late withdrawal of Benjamin Henrichs and Jonathan Tah, head coach Heiko Herrlich will have to make do without six first team players. While it is the last chance saloon for two of the Werkself stars and their national teams, the others are involved in friendly fixtures.
Admir Mehmedi (Switzerland) and Panos Retsos (Greece) are battling for a place in next year's World Cup finals in Russia: Switzerland are away to Northern Ireland on Thursday (9 November, 20.45 CET) with the return match in Basel on Sunday (12 November, 18.00 CET). Greece take on Croatia in the World Cup play-offs – the first leg is on Thursday (20.45 CET) and the second leg is at home in Piraeus on Sunday (20.45 CET).
Bernd Leno and Julian Brandt are under far less pressure ahead of joining the Germany squad on Tuesday. They are possibles for the friendlies against England on Friday (10 November, 21 .00 CET) and France in Cologne a week on Tuesday (14 November, 20.45 CET).
The captain of Austria, Julian Baumgartlinger, has also been called up for a friendly: 'Baumi' and his fellow Austrians face Uruguay (Tuesday, 14. November, 20.45 CET). Heiko Herrlich will be without the services of Joel Pohjanpalo over the next few days as the 23-year-old is in the Finland squad for the game against Estonia on Thursday 9 November at 18.00 CET.
In addition to the six players from the first team, two Bayer 04 youth players are also away on international duty: Sam Schreck and Atakan Akkaynak are set to play for the Germany U19s in a friendly against Cyprus (Sunday, 12 November, 14.30 CET).
The aforementioned Bayer 04 players are unavailable for the Werkself in the friendly against second division MSV Duisburg on Thursday (9 November) at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium (15.00 CET, free entry).
The Colombian midfielder Gustavo Puerta is set to join Hull City on permanent terms from 1 July. Bayer 04 Leverkusen and the Championship club originally agreed a season-long loan in the summer with an option to buy included in the contract. A permanent move to Hull City has been triggered by the number of league appearances Puerta has made this term.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to FC St. Pauli on Bundesliga Matchday 30. The game is on Sunday, 20 April (kick-off: 19:30 CEST). The Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team brings you the latest information on the fixture at the Millerntor Stadium…
Show moreThe Easter holidays enticed a large number of Bayer 04 fans to come to the training ground at the BayArena, today Wednesday 16 April, to watch the Werkself at an open training session in the afternoon. Afterwards, the players and head coach Xabi Alonso took time out to sign autographs and pose for photographs. And there was a lot going on besides: While midfield maestro Granit Xhaka fielded questions at an entertaining children's press conference, including the story behind his squad number 34, Nathan Tella faced the media.
Show moreAway fans take note: Tickets for the forthcoming away game for the Werkself against FC St Pauli at the Millerntor Stadium on Sunday, 20 April (kick-off: 19:30 CEST) are exclusively available on the Bayer 04 app. The tickets are available at once and as usual under the 'Profil' tab by clicking on the 'Meine Tickets' button.
Show moreFlap up, screen on: With the help of the new Bayer 04 tactics truck, training content and match action for the Werkself as well as tactical graphics can now be shown and discussed on the training ground.
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