Bayer Leverkusen, led by Xabi Alonso, is set to face Paderborn in the DFB Cup last 16 in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Leverkusen remains the only club in Europe’s top five leagues yet to taste defeat this season, boasting an impressive record of 18 wins out of 20 matches.
Despite their remarkable run, Leverkusen faced a setback with a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund in their recent Bundesliga fixture. The draw, however, showcased the team’s resilience as they fought back from an early goal. Xabi Alonso, in a pre-match interview, emphasized the need for his players to demonstrate confidence and defiance on the pitch, generating positive support from the Old Trafford crowd.
In terms of team news, Leverkusen is likely to make some squad changes for the DFB Cup fixture, with players like Matěj Kovář, Josip Stanišić, Nathan Tella, Amine Adli, and Adam Hložek hoping for playing time. Patrik Schick, who made impactful cameo appearances in recent matches, might also be eyeing a spot in the starting lineup.
Paderborn, a Bundesliga 2 side, has already shown their mettle in the cup by defeating top-flight opposition Freiburg 3-1 in the previous round. With a league form that has been somewhat inconsistent, Paderborn is positioned 10th in the table and aims to leverage their cup success for a strong performance against Leverkusen.
Match Stats and Probable Lineups:
- Victor Boniface leads Leverkusen’s scoring chart with 13 goals across all competitions, supported by Alejandro Grimaldo with nine.
- Leverkusen has won all four previous encounters with Paderborn since their first meeting in 2014.
- Paderborn’s Filip Bilbija is the top scorer in this season’s DFB Cup with four goals.
- Paderborn has won three of their last five DFB Cup encounters with Bundesliga clubs.
Probable Lineups:
Leverkusen: Kovář – Stanišić, Tah (c), Hincapié – Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo – Hofmann, Adli – Boniface
Paderborn: Huth (c) – Curda, Musliu, Hoffmeier – Obermair, Kinsombi, Klefisch, Muslija – Conteh, Platte, Bilbija
As the teams gear up for the knockout stage, Leverkusen aims to secure a spot in this season’s quarter-finals. Paderborn, with their recent success against top-flight teams, is set to provide a tough challenge. The clash promises to be under the spotlight, with both teams eyeing progression in the prestigious DFB Cup. Football enthusiasts can follow the LIVE blog for real-time updates on this exciting showdown.
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By- Sahiba Suri