Leverkusen and Stuttgart clash in top-four battle
Bayer Leverkusen is in the driving seat in the race for a top-four Bundesliga finish but must start again from zero against rival Stuttgart this weekend, coach Kasper Hjulmand has warned.
Leverkusen is fourth on the Bundesliga table with two matches remaining, with a home game against Hamburger SV to come after this weekend's trip to MHPArena.
Stuttgart and Hoffenheim are both level on points with Hjulmand's team, albeit with an inferior goal difference, and the midweek results in Europe confirmed Germany will not get a fifth UEFA Champions League qualification place for next season.
That is after Bayern Munich lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, with Spain joining England in clinching a fifth spot after Rayo Vallecano progressed to the UEFA Conference League showpiece, where Crystal Palace awaits as its opponent.
Leverkusen has won four of its past five league games to put itself in pole position, but Hjulmand says that will not matter if his side falls short on Saturday.
"We've had a very good week with a lot of anticipation for this next assignment," Hjulmand said.
"Obviously the mood is positive and the confidence is there. We want to take the push from the last game to Stuttgart. But it starts from zero again on Saturday.
"It's didn't look as positive a few weeks ago, but we've had good results. That's put us in a good position and now we want to capitalise.
"We need to play with concentration and mental strength. They've had a very good season, they've picked up a lot of points and are also in the cup final. They press heavily man-to-man, we know that. We're ready for the challenge."
Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness also talked up the importance of the game, particularly after his team drew 3-3 with Hoffenheim, its other direct rival, last week.
"It's a home game where there's a huge amount at stake," Hoeness said. "The players had a good week in training and showed plenty of energy.
"I'm confident that, with the support of our fans, we'll get off to a really good start in the game.
"We'll have to be willing to push ourselves to the absolute limit. Leverkusen are a team that want to play football and they've got superb individual players in their ranks."
