A trio started the new campaign in the UEFA Women's Nations League with two games each. In League A Group 2, Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir collected a point with Iceland against Switzerland (0-0) and she scored at 1-2 in a 3-2 defeat against France – her eleventh international goal in 49 games. The 23-year-old played the full 90 minutes in both games.
The same applies to Lilla Turanyi, who celebrated a first victory with Hungary at the first attempt in League B Group 3. The central defender opened the scoring in a 2-0 win against Serbia (57’) – her sixth international goal. Turanyi and Co. were left empty-handed against Finland after a 1-0 defeat.
Cornelia Kramer and Denmark also have three points after two matches in the Nations League. The striker came off the bench on 85 minutes in a 2-1 defeat against Sweden and she was an unused substitute in the 3-1 win against Italy.
Three Leverkusen players experienced an emotional roller coaster with the Germany U23 team. Captain Kristin Kögel, central defender Selina Ostermeier and midfielder Sofie Zdebel first secured a 3-2 win in Walsall against an England team including their Werkself teammate Ruby Grant. The trio played the full game for Germany. Grant was substituted on 59 minutes and she came on for the final minutes for England on Tuesday night in a 1-0 win against France.
Four days after the win against England, Germany suffered a 4-1 defeat against the Netherlands. Kögel, Ostermeier and Zdebel were again in the starting line-up. Kögel and Zdebel played for 45 minutes, Ostermeier 61. Julia Mickenhagen was also in the international squad but returned to Leverkusen after the England game without playing due to a knock. Katharina Piljic, who was also called up, did not travel due to her ankle injury. And Emilie Bragstad played for the Norway U23s in a friendly. The Werkself central defender went the full distance in a 1-0 win in Sweden.
The Germany U19 squad successfully completed a first training camp after the good start to the Euro qualifiers. The team including the Werkself players Estrella Merino Gonzalez and Delice Boboy beat Italy and Sweden 2-0 in La Nucia in Spain. The two Leverkusen players started both games, Merino Gonzalez played 72 and 75 minutes, Boboy 78 and 60. The second qualification phase will be played in April again in groups of four. In contrast to the first round of games, only the group winners will qualify for the 2025 Euro finals in Poland.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has secured a new network partner in Extreme Networks GmbH. The leading provider of AI-powered network automation has agreed a five-year partnership with the Bundesliga club, running until 30 June 2031. As part of this, the club’s existing Wi-Fi 5 infrastructure will be replaced by more than 400 Wi-Fi 7 access points, which are specifically designed to meet the requirements of a stadium with a high user density. The aim is to enhance the fan experience while optimising operational processes and security.
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New signing Miguel Gutiérrez has made a good start at Leverkusen and has promptly earned a nomination for Player of the Month in his first few weeks in the Bundesliga. He has scored one goal and provided three assists in four league games. The Spanish left-back has also brought some impressive stats with him to Bayer 04. Issue #56 of the Werkself magazine has taken a look at these figures. ‘Facts & Fun’ with Miguel Gutiérrez.
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With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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