The final World Cup qualifier in the era of Joachim Löw ended in an unexpected defeat for Germany. The German team found it hard going against a well-organised opposition, but Leon Goretzka (9') and Serge Gnabry (31') missed good chances. North Macedonia kept pressing and took the lead just before half-time (45+2') through Goran Pandev (Genoa).
Germany equalised just after the hour mark with captain Ilkay Gündogan converting a penalty but they were unable to turn the game round – on the contrary: After substitute Timo Werner missed a great chance for Germany (80'), the North Macedonian striker Eljif Elmas (Napoli) rounded off an impressive attack by the underdogs to make it 2-1 to ensure a sensational result (85'). Germany are now third in Group J. As in the previous two games the two Werkself players Jonathan Tah and Florian Wirtz did not play against North Macedonia.
The next match for Germany is the opening game in the European Championship in the summer. Germany play World Cup winners France in Munich on 15 June.
After scoring in the 3-1 win against the Faroe Islands, all did not go to plan for Aleksandar Dragovic in the international against Denmark. The Werkself defender did play the full 90 minutes in his 89th international but he was on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline with Austria against Denmark. Denmark scored all four goals in the second half through Andreas Skov Olsen (58', 73'), Joakim Maehle (63') and the former Bundesliga player Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg (67').
Lennart Grill has reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship with the Germany U21 team. The goalless draw against Romania in the final match of the group stage was enough for Germany on Tuesday to qualify for the knockout rounds as runners-up behind the Netherlands with the finals to be played from 31 May to 6 June. The team under coach Stefan Kuntz will play Denmark in the quarter-final on 31 May after the Scandinavians surprisingly ended up top of their group ahead of France. As in the first two group matches, Grill was on the bench against Romania.
The end of the international break did not end well for Patrik Schick either. The Werkself striker with the Czech national team lost 1-0 in Wales on Tuesday. Schick, who was unable to play in the 1-1 draw with Belgium at the weekend due to Czechia being classified as a "virus variant area", was in the starting line-up but was shown a red card at the start of the second half (48). Wales, who also finished with ten players after Connor Roberts was sent off (77'), won the game late on with a goal from Manchester United striker Daniel James (81').
On Monday, Edmond Tapsoba with the Burkina Faso national team won the final group match in the African Cup qualifiers with a 1-0 victory over South Sudan. The Werkself defender played the full 90 minutes with the winner scored by Bertrand Traoré of Aston Villa on 50 minutes. Burkina Faso finished top of their qualifying group unbeaten and will be in the finals in Cameroon next January and February.
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
Show more
On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen are bringing back Kerim Alajbegovic, who joined Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2025. The Bundesliga club activated the buy-back option in the contract with the Bosnia international, who has enjoyed great success at the Austrian top-flight club since the start of the current season. Alajbegovic moved to Salzburg from the Leverkusen U19s last year. The 1.86-metre forward has signed a five-year contract at Leverkusen with a start date of 1 July 2026.
Show more
Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
Show more
