Even though his team recently surrendered fourth place in the Bundesliga at Stuttgart, Exequiel Palacios stressed: "The potential in the team, with all the young and new players, is huge. On top of that is a spine that's grown over years, which still comprises several players from the title-winning team."
With the campaign drawing to a close, he told the media representatives from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina as well as other countries in South and Central America: "There have been lots of highs and lows. We're not where we really want to be - in the top four. But I think the club is currently in a transition phase on the way to something very promising."
world cup outlook: 'will only happen through cohesion, fight and passion'
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni recently selected Palacios, along with his Bayer 04 teammate Ezequiel Fernández, in his provisional World Cup squad. Palacios, who revealed he like to spend his free time "at home with family and friends", absolutely rates the Albiceleste's chances of defending their title this summer. "Not much has changed since 2022, the group is pretty much the same," he explained. "Everyone in and around the team knows that it will again only happen through cohesion, fight and passion. That's the only way we can be successful again this time."
Palacios is hoping to bring the same qualities onto the pitch in the Werkself's final encounter of this season against Hamburger SV. "We now want to win the last home match and give our fans something to celebrate in our stadium again!" said the midfield instigator.
