Matchday news #VfBB04: Taking the next big step with the full weight of our fans behind us

#VfBB04: match facts

“We'll need to show more fighting spirit and determination if we want to pick up more points,” defender Jarell Quansah had insisted following the 4-1 home defeat to VfB in the reverse fixture at the beginning of the year. It wasn’t just in last weekend’s convincing 4–1 win over RB Leipzig that the Werkself displayed both qualities in abundance. In their last five outings, Bayer 04 closed the gap on TSG Hoffenheim by four points and on Stuttgart by a whopping seven. Leverkusen’s record in Swabia offers hope that coach Kasper Hjulmand’s side could leave the South Germans – who are now level on points – behind with a win in the head-to-head clash: the Black and Reds are unbeaten there in 13 Bundesliga encounters, with their last defeat coming way back in April 2010.

So far this season, the two clubs have been on an equal footing – particularly in attack: with 66 goals apiece, they not only boast the second-best attack in the Bundesliga, but have also taken exactly the same number of shots (484). Whilst the Werkself have scored the second-most goals from counter-attacks in the league (12), Stuttgart are particularly vulnerable to transitions – no team in the top flight has conceded more goals from them (10). Moreover, one player feels particularly at home at the MHP Arena: Patrik Schick. The in-form Czech scored three of his four league goals against VfB in Stuttgart, including the last-minute winner on Matchday 26 of last season.

FOCUS ON Stuttgart

Thanks to a last-minute equaliser whilst a man down last weekend against TSG Hoffenheim, VfB Stuttgart still have every chance of securing a Champions League spot. Nevertheless, the Swabians’ form has dipped slightly of late – coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s side have won just one of their last five matches and will also be without captain Atakan Karazor, who is suspended for the match against Bayer 04 after being shown a straight red card at Hoffenheim last week. The VfB attacking quartet of Deniz Undav, Jamie Leweling, Ermedin Demirović and Chris Führich are always capable of scoring and have collectively netted 43 of Stuttgart’s 66 goals. Our in-depth opposition profile reveals how the team with the red ring on their jerseys can be put under pressure.

4,000 Fans in Stuttgart

The Werkself will be backed by the vociferous support of 4,000 Bayer 04 supporters as they take the next step towards Champions League qualification at Stuttgart’s MHP Arena.

Robert Schröder in charge

Schröder has taken charge of six of the Werkself's matches so far, including this season's 3–1 away win at Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 20. Incidentally, the first game involving Bayer 04 that the 40-year-old refereed was also a clash with VfB – in November 2018, with the Black and Reds winning 2-0 at home. In Swabia, Schröder will be assisted on the touchline by Clemens Neitzel-Petersen and Stefan Lupp, with Bastian Dankert acting as video assistant referee.

Werkself Radio

The Werkself Radio with commentators Niko Hartmann and Florian Bechholz will report live from the MHP Arena. As always, the audio broadcast will start half an hour before kick-off. As usual, the live text service will also keep you up to date so you don't miss any of the match action. Both Werkself Radio and the live text updates can be found at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.