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The first home match since clinching the Bundesliga title and the pitch invasion by fans after the 5-0 win over SV Werder Bremen. "We've spoken with the groundskeepers. The pitch is maybe not as perfect as before but in good condition," revealed Xabi Alonso in response to a question at Friday's press conference.
Two men who definitely won't be on the pitch against Stuttgart are Adam Hlozek and Borja Iglesias. The attacking duo joined in with parts of team training for the first time again on Friday morning, but Saturday's primetime clash will come too soon. "At the moment, it looks like both will be able to return to full training at the start of next week," explained Alonso. "We'll then make a decision for the game in Rome on Thursday in the coming days."
As well as Hlozek and Iglesias, Granit Xhaka is suspended against VfB, who are currently on course for the UEFA Champions League in third place. The midfield anchor received his fifth booking of the campaign in the 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund, meaning he won't start a Bundesliga match for the first time this season. "It's normal for players to be suspended for yellow card accumulation now and then," said Alonso. "We have plenty of options in this position, though. It's important that we play our game and produce a good performance."
The Werkself have already had two tough encounters with Stuttgart this season, in both the 1-1 draw in the reverse league fixture and the DFB Cup quarter-final (3-2). "They've been one of the best teams in Europe this season," stressed Alonso. "They're flexible, brave and aggressive. I like their approach. It's going to be a top game!"
The Leverkusen eSports team played the remaining three of the six matches in the online preliminary round of the fourth showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26. RB Leipzig and SC Freiburg were among the teams with the highest goal threat, including two World Cup participants in their ranks. Although the #B04eSports players were defeated in the matches overall, nine points from the first three games last week were enough for Leverkusen to advance to the offline round in Berlin on 2 February.
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A decisive showdown awaits: The Werkself are aiming to progress to the play-off round of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League with a home win against Villarreal CF on the eighth and final matchday of the league phase. Ahead of the match on Wednesday, 28 January (kick-off: 21:00 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the importance of the game, the possible return of Edmond Tapsoba and a statement from new signing Jonas Omlin in an exclusive interview with Werkself TV. Lucas Vázquez, for his part, spoke about his role on and off the pitch as well as tomorrow’s opponents, who he often faced in Spain with Real Madrid.
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For Villarreal CF, the match at Bayer 04 on Wednesday, 28 January (kick-off: 21:00 CET), will be their last appearance on the European stage this season. The Spanish side, currently fourth in La Liga, are still without a win in the UEFA Champions League and, with just one point from their seven games so far, have no chance of making the play-offs. The 2021 Europa League winners can therefore play without any pressure at the BayArena and will be looking to bow out of the competition with a good performance. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will to have manage without forward Eliesse Ben Seghir. The Morocco international suffered a ligament injury in his left ankle before the AFCON final defeat against Senegal (0-1 a.e.t.).
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The VBL Club Championship 2025/26 continues. Tonight, 27 January (live on Twitch and on the Bayer 04 app from 18:00 CET), the Leverkusen eSports team will play the remaining three matches in the online preliminary round of Showdown Four. They are up against FC Kaiserslautern, SC Freiburg and the current club champions and Showdown Three winners RB Leipzig, with whom Bayer 04, club runners-up and Showdown One winners, shared some memorable moments, especially last year. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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