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Alonso favorite with Bayer? "Gives St. Pauli and Düsseldorf"

Alonso favorite with Bayer? "Gives St. Pauli and Düsseldorf"

,   and  ASMedia
2 min read
Alonso favorite with Bayer? "Gives St. Pauli and Düsseldorf"
Alonso favorite with Bayer? "Gives St. Pauli and Düsseldorf"

With heavyweights FC Bayern, RB Leipzig, and recently crowned runners-up Borussia Dortmund out of the mix, the DFB Cup's limelight now shines on Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen. Despite their strong position, Alonso remains cautious, acknowledging potential obstacles such as St. Pauli, Fortuna Düsseldorf, and Hertha BSC.

In the upcoming quarter-finals, Leverkusen will face Bundesliga leaders VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Alonso's warning rings true - the unpredictable nature of cup competitions - as evidenced by teams like second-division SC Paderborn's three shot-on-goal advantages over Leverkusen.[1]

Leverkusen coach Lukas Kwasniok of SC Paderborn emphasises the importance of maintaining an open gameplan versus Leverkusen, while noting the lower threat level of the second-division teams in comparison to Bayer Leverkusen's daunting challenge: the Africa Cup.[1]

Come January, five essential Leverkusen players, including Victor Boniface and goal scorer Edmond Tapsoba, will be sidelined for up to a month. Additional absences include Odilon Kossounou, Set defender, and Nathan Tella, Amine Adli, potentially complicating Leverkusen's DFB Cup progression.

Yet Bayern Munich loanee Josip Stanisic remains steadfast in his focus, aware of the competition's unforgiving nature regardless of the opponent's division.[1]

North Rhine-Westphalia boasts a roster of DFB Cup contenders: Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Fortuna Düsseldorf, along with quarter-finalists Bayer Leverkusen, VfB Stuttgart, and Werder Bremen.[1]

As the DFB Cup unfolds, Bayer Leverkusen must confront the threats posed by their competitors and maintain focus amidst the absence of key players to secure their place in the esteemed Berlin finale.

Further Reading:

  • Is Saarland On the Brink of Financial Ruin?[1]
  • Will the Suspectface Conviction as Jutta's Murderer After 37 Years?[1]
  • He Also Wanted to Eliminate His Cousin[1]
  • Deathbed Gawkers Capture the Moment on Live Stream[1]

Enrichment Insights:

As the DFB Cup quarter-finalists convene, the remaining teams in the hunt for the title include:

  • Bayer Leverkusen
  • VfB Stuttgart
  • Werder Bremen
  • Wolfsburg

These teams, along with any additional quarter-final contenders, will shape the remaining competition's trajectory, with the Berlin final scheduled for May 24, 2025.[1]

Previous victories and recent form may influence the teams' performances, but so, too, will injuries and player availability. For Bayer Leverkusen, critical absences may pose challenges due to injuries:

  • Nathan Tella: Recovering from a hip injury, potentially keeping him out of the DFB Cup semi-final against VfB Stuttgart
  • Martin Terrier: Long-term absent due to an unspecified injury
  • Jeanuel Belocian: Also long-term absent, potentially leading to Mario Hermoso's inclusion in the starting lineup
  • Patrik Schick: If unavailable due to injury, Leverkusen may struggle to replace his impact in attack

Although not directly affecting the DFB Cup, Harry Kane's injury at Bayern Munich might present strategic advantages for Bayer Leverkusen by helping them close the gap in the Bundesliga standings.[2]

To advance in the DFB Cup and secure a place in the final, Bayer Leverkusen will need to manage their squad effectively while maintaining a high level of performance to overcome the challenges they may face.

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