Just like the Werkself, Wolfsburg came through the first round of the DFB cup last week when they beat Union Fürstenwalde 4-1. But while Charles Aránguiz and Co. were able to fully focus on the clash with the team from Lower Saxony following the 7-0 win against Norderstedt, VfL faced a trip to Albania. The Green and Whites had a Europa League qualifier at FK Kukesi on Thursday night but they gave the hosts no chance as they clocked up a convincing 4-0 victory.
Peter Bosz had an eagle eye on the match involving our next opponents. "It was interesting. It's always good to be able to see an opponent beforehand. But I think we can expect a different game on Sunday – we will be stronger opponents," said the Dutchman who still believes his Werkself team are at the build-up stage. Bosz added: "We trained well this week. We're not yet up to 100 per cent but we've made a good start and are getting fitter and fitter."
Following his precautionary self-isolation in Jamaica, winger Leon Bailey flew back to Germany on Friday and has already been tested. There will be a second test on Saturday. "If everything is normal then he will train with us on Monday," Bosz explained. "The most important thing will be to have the chance to talk to him – that should happen on Monday. Then we’ll be able to put together a plan for him so that he can return to action as soon as possible."
According to the 56-year-old, new signing Patrik Schick is ready to start. The Czech Republic striker is still not 100 per cent fit. But: "Whether or not he can play from the start on Sunday? Yes, he can," declared the head coach.
Match information:
Broadcasters: Sky and Werks11 Radio (bayer04.de)
Referee: The match officials will be appointed on the day of the game
Attendance: 500
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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To mark Exequiel Palacios’s departure, we’ve put together a compilation of the midfielder’s finest and most important goals from his six-and-a-half years at the club.
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