The day after the 2-1 win in the DFB Cup Round of 16 tie against VfB Stuttgart, the Werkself training session on Thursday morning was aimed at recovery. Charles Aránguiz was back on the pitch but trained on his own. Julian Baumgartlinger (knock against Hoffenheim) and Sven Bender, who remained in the dressing room after the half-time break due to muscle problems against the team from Swabia, also missed out on the full training session. Exequiel Palacios, who made his debut for Bayer 04 last night, was also absent and he was particularly missed by the two assistant coaches of Argentina Wálter Samuel and Roberto Ayala as Lucas Alario was the only one of their two players at the training session. The Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was at the cup tie at the BayArena last night to have a look at his players.
The participants for the DFB Cup quarter-finals were confirmed last night. In addition to the Werkself, the Bundesliga clubs Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, Fortuna Düsseldorf, Schalke 04, Werder Bremen and Union Berlin plus the fourth division side FC Saarbrücken have qualified for the next round. The draw will be held at the German Football Museum in Dortmund on Sunday night at 18.00 CET and it will be made by former international Cacau who is currently working as the integration officer for the DFB. The DFB general secretary Friedrich Curtius will be in charge of the draw. ARD will broadcast the draw live on the Sportschau TV programme.
Once again it is time for Player of the Month and Kai Havertz has been nominated for the EA SPORTS January Player of the Month. The vote is made up of 40% from the fans plus 30% each from the Bundesliga clubs and selected pundits. The 20-year-old faces stiff competition: In addition to the Leverkusen player, Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho (both Borussia Dortmund), Leon Goretzka, Robert Lewandowski and Ivan Perisic (all Bayern Munich) have been nominated as well.
You can vote for Havertz HERE.
Stefan Kießling is a guest on 'Doppelpass' on Sunday morning – one subject of the football talk show will definitely be the home game for the Werkself against Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, 8 February, 18.30 CET). The programme will be broadcast from 11.00 CET on the Sport 1 channel.
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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