Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.
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!"
Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without centre-back Edmond Tapsoba in the coming weeks. The Burkina Faso international returned to the Werkself from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco with a muscle injury.
Show more
The Werkself are away to Hamburg SV at the end of the Hinrunde in the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. The match at the newly promoted club is on Tuesday night, 13 January (kick-off: 20:30 CET). Ahead of the first encounter with HSV since 2018, Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the strengths of the opponents, lessons learnt from the home defeat against VfB Stuttgart and provided a squad update.
Show more
In Germany, the temperatures are currently around zero, leaving even professional footballers freezing - but not the Bayer 04 Women. Roberto Pätzold's team have fled the cold to the south and are preparing for the second half of the season at a training camp in the Algarve, almost 2,000 kilometres away from home as the crow flies. The Leverkusen squad landed in Faro on Saturday morning and have already completed the first three training sessions over the weekend.
Show more
It was a disappointing Saturday night. The Werkself lost 4-1 to VfB Stuttgart to start the new year on Bundesliga matchday 16 in 2025/26, a result that left both players and fans disappointed. "We played without any passion," said Alejandro Grimaldo honestly afterwards. Teammate Jarell Quansah was even more self-critical, emphasising: "We were miles off it in the first half. You can't put in a performance like that, especially in front of our own fans and I can only apologise to them, to be honest." Read on for the reaction, facts and stats from the clash with VfB Stuttgart in the Werkself review.
Show more
