Lilla Turányi started the international break with Hungary in a World Cup qualifier. The defender played the full 90 minutes in a 7-0 victory over the Faroe Islands. Hungary are currently third in qualifying Group B. Turányi also went the full distance three days later in a friendly against Brazil that saw the South American side win 3-1.
Leverkusen's Milena Nikolić was the key player for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 29-year-old scored the winner late on in the World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan (90+4'). The striker also helped secure victory against Montenegro in the second game with a 2-0 win bringing three important points. Bosnia and Herzegovina are currently third in Group E.
Switzerland only managed to pick up one point in two games: In World Cup qualifiers they drew 1-1 with Romania before losing 1-0 against Italy. The Switzerland women's team remain second in Group G. The Bayer 04 duo of Amira Arfaoui and Irina Pando were on standby.
The Leverkusen players Clara Fröhlich, Lisanne Gräwe and Sofie Zdebel sealed qualification for the U19 European Championships. The Black and Red trio were in the starting line-up for the crucial qualifier against Finland. The Germany U19s came through with a 2-1 win on penalties with Bayer 04 player Fröhlich netting her spot kick.
International results:
Lilla Turányi – Hungary
8 April: Hungary vs Faroe Islands (World Cup qualifier) 7-0
11 April: Brazil vs Hungary (Friendly) 3-1
Milena Nikolić – Bosnia and Herzegovina
7 April: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Azerbaijan (World Cup qualifier) 1-0
12 April: Montenegro vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (World Cup qualifier) 0-2
Amira Arfaoui, Irina Pando (on standby) – Switzerland
8 April: Romania vs Switzerland (World Cup qualifier) 1-1
12 April: Switzerland vs Italy (World Cup qualifier) 0-1
Clara Fröhlich, Lisanne Gräwe, Sofie Zdebel – Germany U19s
12 April: Germany U19 vs Finland U19 (Euros qualifier) 2-1 (on pens)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
Show more
Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
Show more
Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
Show more
Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
Show more
Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
Show more
