Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to preserve their unbeaten start to the season when they face Stuttgart in the DFB-Pokal Cup. This year, Xabi Alonso’s team takes on a top-tier team in the cup for the first time. In the second round and round of 16, the visitors defeated Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund, respectively.
Preview (Bayer Leverkusen vs. Stuttgart)
Viewers are interested in seeing how Bayer Leverkusen approaches Tuesday’s Pokal matchup against Stuttgart because Alonso’s team is eager to maintain their unbeaten streak, which was extended to 29 games following Saturday’s 2-0 league victory over Darmstadt. The Bundesliga leaders welcome Thomas Tuchel’s team on February 10. They maintained a two-point advantage over Bayer Munich thanks to an outstanding double from Nathan Tella. Because of the significance of that match at the top of the league, observers will be watching Alonso closely as they manage a potentially crucial week in which, should things go wrong, they might lose their slight edge in the Bundesliga and exit the domestic cup.
It will be interesting to see how the Bayer manager tackles Tuesday’s cup matchup with Stuttgart. Die Werkself hopes to continue their quest for a first Pokal trophy since their inaugural one in the 1992–93 campaign. Bayern has a week to prepare for that matchup. The fact that the domestic cup is not Bayer’s priority this season suggests that Alonso’s team may be making changes as they prepare for a pivotal league match against Die Bayern in a few days. Stuttgart, which had dropped three of their previous four league games, is visiting Leverkusen following back-to-back victories in the Bundesliga.
Following three straight losses on the road, Sebastian Hoeness’s team’s victory against Freiburg on Saturday should give them confidence going into their matchup against their undefeated hosts. Stuttgart has won multiple Pokal titles, unlike Bayer, even if their last three victories occurred in 1997. They are aiming for their first podium position in 11 years. They had finished seventh seven times before Leverkusen’s 2020 second-place victory.
Team News
At AFCON 2023, Edmond Tapsoba made his debut after returning from his Burkina Faso assignment. The center-back is expected to start for Leverkusen on Tuesday. Odilon Kossounou, however, won’t be available for another week. Ivory Coast has advanced to the competition’s semifinals despite the defender’s appalling 44 minutes. He was sent off against Mali. Victor Boniface (groin), Eduardo Palacios (thigh), and Arthur (tendon) are the injury absentees. They are not anticipated to participate in the quarterfinal match. Denis Undav, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, is in fine form and likely play for Stuttgart. In the last two league games, he has scored four goals. It included his first Bundesliga hat-trick in the 5-2 victory against RB Leipzig.
Whether Serhou Guirassy plays any role is still up in the air after his return from Guinea’s Cup of Nations assignment. Silas Katompa Mvumpa, who plays for DR Congo, South Korea’s Woo-yeong Jeong (Asian Cup), and the injured Dan-Axel Zagadou and Nikolas Nartey—both of whom are recovering from knee injuries—are not present.
Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Stuttgart
For more football previews, click here
