The visitors made the better start in front of 26,101 fans at the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg. Serbia took the lead with less than 15 minutes on the clock with a goal from Eintracht Frankfurt's Luka Jovic (12'). The striker was completely unmarked from a corner and was able to direct his header past the 32-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer into the net. Germany then took control of the game and created two good chances from Timo Werner on 22 minutes, with good work in the build-up from Kai Havertz, and on 37 minutes. Both times, the RB Leipzig striker was unable to beat the Serbian goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.
Kai Havertz was substituted at half-time with Marco Reus coming on for the second half. The Germany team. coached by Joachim Löw, upped the pressure after the restart but missed a number of promising chances to level at 1-1 through Reus (59'), Leroy Sané (64') and Ilkay Gündogan (65'). However, there was not long to wait after that: Substitute Leon Goretzka netted the deserved equaliser with a shot from 15 yards out on 69 minutes. Julian Brandt was not on the pitch at this point. The lively Werkself pro was substituted on the hour mark.
After that, Sané (73') and Reus (75') had the best chances to put Germany 2-1 up. The friendly did end with an unsavoury scene: In added time (90+3'), Milan Pavkov cut down Sané with a reckless challenge that earned the Serbian a red card. The Manchester City winger was able to hobble off the pitch. Then came the end ofthe game that saw Jonathan Tah go the full distance.
Germany are back in action on Sunday 24 March with the first competitive international of the year. The Netherlands are the opponents in the European qualifier In Amsterdam. The match kicks off at 20.45 CET.
Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
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Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
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