Lukas Hradecky, Aleksandar Dragovic, Julian Baumgartlinger, Tin Jedvaj and Kai Havertz were still playing international matches at the beginning of June and exactly like Paulinho, who was involved in an international tournament for Brazil in Toulon up to the middle of June, will return to full training on Monday 8 July. Jonathan Tah (U21 Euros), Charles Aránguiz (Copa America) and Leon Bailey (Gold Cup) will join their team-mates over the course of the training camp in Austria (15 to 21 July).
There have been no changes to squad numbers. The new signings will have the following numbers: Kerem Demirbay (10), Moussa Diaby (19), Daley Sinkgraven (22) and returnee Niklas Lomb the number 36 again.
The squad for the 2019/20 season (As at 1 July 2019)
1 Lukas Hradecky
3 Panagiotis Retsos
4 Jonathan Tah
5 Sven Bender
6 Aleksandar Dragovic
7 Paulinho
8 Lars Bender
9 Leon Bailey
10 Kerem Demirbay
13 Lucas Alario
15 Julian Baumgartlinger
16 Tin Jedvaj
17 Joel Pohjanpalo
18 Wendell
19 Moussa Diaby
20 Charles Aranguiz
21 Dominik Kohr
22 Daley Sinkgraven
23 Mitchell Weiser
28 Ramazan Özcan
29 Kai Havertz
31 Kevin Volland
33 Jan Boller
36 Niklas Lomb
38 Karim Bellarabi
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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