Central defender Jonathan Tah and Dominik Kohr, who returns from Augsburg after the season ends, are in the Germany team for the U21 European Championships in Poland to be held at the same time.
"For us, the Confed Cup is an important staging post and a good warm-up for next years World Cup," said Löw. The Germany squad with Leno, Brandt and Henrichs, who extended his contract at Bayer 04 to 2022 on Wednesday, face Australia (19 June), Chile and Charles Aránguiz (22 June) and Cameroon (25 June) in an eight nation tournament in Russia. Before that there are the international fixture against Denmark on 6 June and the World Cup qualifier against San Marino on 10 June.
The Germany U21 squad under coach Stefan Kuntz includes Jonathan Tah, who missed a number of games for Bayer 04 in the second half of the season through injury, and Dominik Kohr for the European Championships in Poland for the group games against the Czech Republic (18 June), Denmark (21 June) and Italy (24 June).
Chicharito in initial squad
Mexico are also in the Confed Cup as winners of the Concacaf Cup. National coach Juan Carlos Osorio named his initial 32-man squad on Tuesday and the Werkself striker Chicharito is included.
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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