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Borussia Dortmund is set to host Bayer Leverkusen today at Signal Iduna Park as the Bundesliga resumes after a three-week winter break. Dortmund, currently sixth in the standings with 25 points, aims to close the gap to the top teams, while second-placed Leverkusen seeks to narrow the four-point difference with leaders Bayern Munich.
Dortmund faces several challenges ahead of the match. A flu virus has affected the squad, leaving defenders Waldemar Anton and Almugera Kabar doubtful. Additionally, defender Niklas Süle is sidelined due to injury, and midfielder Pascal Gross is suspended following a red card in the previous month. Despite these setbacks, coach Nuri Sahin remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of a strong start to the year and the team's determination to secure a home victory.
Leverkusen, under coach Xabi Alonso, also faces injury concerns. Playmaker Granit Xhaka is racing to recover from an ankle injury sustained earlier in the week. Alonso is hopeful about Xhaka's participation, pending evaluation after a training session today. Xhaka has been instrumental this season, contributing two goals and five assists.
Historically, Dortmund has maintained an unbeaten record against Leverkusen in their last five encounters. However, Leverkusen's current form and ambition to compete for titles across all competitions make them formidable opponents. Alonso acknowledged the challenge, highlighting Dortmund's strength at home and the significance of the match for both teams.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 20:30 local time and will be broadcast live on DAZN. A significant number of Leverkusen supporters are expected to travel to Dortmund, adding to the electrifying atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park.
