Rested Leverkusen feeling fresh for Leipzig clash
Kasper Hjulmand has called on his Bayer Leverkusen players to take full advantage of a rare week off when they face RB Leipzig on Sunday (AEDT).
Fourth-placed Leverkusen travels to Red Bull Arena sitting three points behind its opponent, which is in second place on the Bundesliga table behind leader Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen has had to juggle competing in the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and DFB-Pokal this season, meaning the games have come thick and fast.
For the first time since the end of September, however, Hjulmand's side had no midweek game and is therefore fresh for this weekend's clash.
"We made good use of the time," Hjulmand said. "Intensive training on Tuesday was new for us.
"Now we're away full of anticipation, and we'll give everything to get the three points – and then have an even better Christmas. That's our goal."
Sunday's (AEDT) contest in Leipzig marks the final game of 2025 for both sides, in what has been a particularly eventful year for Leverkusen.
Leverkusen sacked Erik ten Hag on 1 September, having only hired the Dutchman as Xabi Alonso's successor three months earlier.
Hjulmand's side is fourth in the Bundesliga, while it is 20th in the UEFA Champions League standings and into the last eight of the DFB-Pokal.
Asked to sum up the past few months, Hjulmand said: "I think we have played well to be where we are in all competitions.
"We're going from game to game, and we always aim to get the three points. It's another very important game. We're not done yet this year."
Leipzig suffered a 3-1 loss away at Union Berlin last time out and has won just two of its past five Bundesliga matches.
