The intensive Europa League home game against Ferencváros (2-1) is still being processed as preparations begin for the clash with VfB. "Stuttgart play some very attractive football particularly at home," said the 42-year-old who highlighted the strength of the key players in midfield and attack. "We’ll definitely have to make a better start than we did against Ferencváros and we can't afford to give the opponents any space."
Due to the style of play of the Stuttgart team, but also in view of the plan to freshen up his own team, Gerardo Seoane is planning to make changes to his starting eleven in comparison with the win in the Europa League. Mitchel Bakker, Robert Andrich and Paulinho have all recently started in the Bundesliga but they were rested for the game against Ferencváros.
Exequiel Palacios will probably not be available. The Argentinian Copa America winner went off injured against Ferencváros on 50 minutes. "We are still waiting for the full info but I've seen his foot and it doesn't look good for Pala being an option on Sunday," The Swiss coach has the rest of his squad to choose from with the exception of long-term absentees Edmond Tapsoba, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Julian Baumgartlinger plus goalkeeper Niklas Lomb – and that includes Piero Hincapie.
The new signing from Ecuador made his debut for the Black and Reds on Thursday night. His head coach found words of praise for the 19-year-old at the press conference on Friday: "Piero has fitted in really quickly and ensured defensive stability. He's not that far away from a possible start."
A first choice in the starting line-up is Florian Wirtz – and that at the age of 18 and five months. The Pulheim-born midfielder netted against Ferencváros to bring his contribution to scoring this season to three goals and three assists in four games. Seoane, above all, values the ability of the number 27 to make "clear decisions in the final third" and by extension his strength in finishing. "Of course, we can count on that but we shouldn't rely on it," added the Swiss. He said other players with similar qualities like Amine Adli, Moussa Diaby, Nadiem Amiri and Paulinho can play a similar role in the team.
Match information:
Broadcasters: DAZN and Werkself Radio
Referee: The match officials will be announced on the day of the match
This evening was deeply moving: At a really special setting, Bayer 04 exclusively presented the specially produced documentary ‘Fierté Burkinabè’ ("Burkinabe Pride") about Edmond Tapsoba on Tuesday. For the preview at the BayArena, the parents of the Werkself player and other close companions travelled all the way from his African homeland Burkina Faso. The 45-minute film shows Tapsoba's extraordinary career from his beginnings in Ouagadougou to Leverkusen as well as the work of his foundation "Fondation Edmond Tapsoba", with representatives from Burkina Faso also present. Fans can watch the documentary free of charge on Werkself TV and YouTube from Wednesday night at 20:00 CEST.
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Bayer 04 have signed left-back Carolin Simon from champions Bayern Munich for the coming season. The 33-year-old former Germany international, who played for Leverkusen from 2013 to 2016, has signed a contract to 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Women have strengthened for the coming season with the signing of Lobke Loone. The 23-year-old Dutch striker joins from Utrecht on a contract until 30 June 2028.
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The Werkself returned from the near one-month break in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga with a convincing victory at home. Roberto Pätzold's side beat SC Freiburg 4-1 on Sunday afternoon, with goals from Katharina Piljic, Estrella Merino Gonzalez, Cornelia Kramer and Carlotta Wamser ensuring a 13th win of the season at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. The Black and Reds, who are now on 40 points, move up to fourth place at least overnight.
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