Touré starts in Leverkusen – VfB duo on the verge of a comeback

Rested in the cup, in the starting line-up in Leverkusen: El Bilal Touré.
IMAGO/Sportfoto Pack

Things got hot and high-class four times last season between VfB Stuttgart and Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and things got particularly heated in the most recent meeting in the DFL Supercup. And Sebastian Hoeneß wouldn't be surprised if something stuck with his players.

There is a “very healthy rivalry” with the Werkself, said the Stuttgart head coach the day before the next duel in the BayArena (Friday, 8.30 p.m., LIVE! on kicker). “They were always very nice games, but there were also emotions in them that are certainly still in your memory.”

Each time VfB came close to defeating Leverkusen, but each time the plan failed. Hoeneß' credo: “We don't just want to look good, we want to take more with us. We will try again this time.” A man who defeated Leverkusen last season, even if only as a late substitute, should become the decisive factor: El Bilal Touré.

Touré starts at the front, Chase at the back – Diehl and Stergiou “close”

The loan from Europa League winner Atalanta Bergamo gave Hoeneß a starting eleven guarantee on Thursday. “'Elbi' will play, he 100 percent deserves it. He is in very good shape, is fresh and rested and can cause problems for any defense, including Leverkusen's, with the way he plays. He is agile, fast, good on the ball. These will be things that we will need. Touré had shot VfB to victory against Juventus (1-0) and Kiel (2-1) before losing in the DFB Cup Kaiserslautern (2:1) was scored.

VfB already practiced against FCK without Jeff Chabot, who was injured and suspended in Leverkusen. Hoeneß has already committed to this, although Ramon Hendriks, who was deployed at left back against Bayern (0:4) and Lautern, is “gradually playing his way”.

Meanwhile, Justin Diehl (after a shoulder dislocation) and Leonidas Stergiou (after back problems) are about to make their comeback, although not yet in Leverkusen. According to Hoeneß, Diehl is “close”, Stergiou “not much further away”. Both could return to the squad before the international break, which starts the week after next. “They’re fully in training.”