VfB face newly crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen for the third time this season when they travel to the BayArena on Saturday evening (18:30 CEST). After drawing 1-1 in the league in Stuttgart and suffering a last-gasp 3-2 defeat in the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup, Sebastian Hoeneß’s side are determined to emerge triumphant on this occasion. The head coach will be without the suspended Angelo Stiller on Saturday, with Enzo Millot set to deputise alongside Atakan Karazor in defensive midfield. “Enzo has played well on several occasions in that position this season,” Hoeneß said at Thursday’s pre-match press conference.
Leverkusen may have wrapped up the title a fortnight ago, but the hosts are unlikely to roll over for VfB this weekend as they look to become the first side in Bundesliga history to go an entire season unbeaten. Naturally, Hoeneß and his players are looking to put a spanner in the works at the BayArena. “Their motivation to continue their run will certainly be high,” said the VfB boss. “But we were in the game until the very end in both our meetings and want to steer the game in the right direction on this occasion. To do that, we need to show the same levels of courage and be ready to give our all in pursuit of our big goal.”
Anthony Rouault, who was an unused substitute last weekend after recovering from a broken jaw, is edging closer to a return to the pitch. “Anthony is feeling good physically,” Hoeneß confirmed. “We included him last weekend in case of emergencies, but he’s back in contention for the starting XI this time.”
Long-term absentees Dan-Axel Zagadou, Niko Nartey, Josha Vagnoman, Li Egloff (all injured) remain sidelined, while Roberto Massimo has been unable to train with his team-mates this week due to a muscle issue.