Following discussion between Germany coach Joachim Löw and Germany U21 coach Stefan Kuntz, Jonathan Tah has travelled to Amsterdam today. The Bayer 04 defender has been called up to the senior squad for Tuesday's Nations League game away to France in Paris (20.45 CET, live on ARD). On Friday, Tah captained the Germany U21 team in the 2-1 win against Norway to put Germany through to the 2019 European Championships in Italy and San Marino.
Stefan Kuntz said: "Jonathan has demonstrated his leadership role in exemplary fashion. He has totally focused on us qualifying for the European Championships and he led the way in the game against Norway. He has absolutely deserved his call-up to the senior squad." Jonathan Tah responded to the unexpected call-up as follows. "Firstly, I'm really happy about the win against Norway. Our clear target was to go through to the European Championships finals and we've achieved that with an impressive and battling performance. Of course, I'm now very happy about the call-up to the Germany squad. It's a great sign of approval from the national coach that he called me up for the game in France."
Tah was captain of the Germany U21's on Friday night as the Bayer 04 central defender helped take Germany through to next year's European Championship finals in Italy and San Marino. Germany secured a 2-1 win against major rivals Norway in front of a 4,300 crowd in Ingolstadt and thereby qualify for the European Championship finals ahead of Tuesday's match against Ireland in Heidenheim (18.00 CET). Tah provided the assist for Germany's opener scored by Schalke player Cedric Teuchert with a diagonal pass from his own half. Luca Waldschmidt (Freiburg) doubled the lead (31') before Norway pulled a goal back on 46 minutes. Former Werkself team-mate Benny Henrichs (now at AS Monaco) played alongside Tah at left back for the full 90 minutes.
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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