Stuttgart’s El Bilal Touré will start against Bayer Leverkusen | OneFootball

After two goals and one assist in his last two games, El Bilal Touré will start for Stuttgart against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday night. The Malian forward, who is on loan from Atalanta, scored the only goal in VfB’s 1-0 win against Juventus before assisting Deniz Undav and scoring in their 2-1 win against Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga last weekend.

“’Elbi’ will play, he has one hundred percent deserved it,” said Sebastian Hoeneß in his pre-match press conference. “He is in very good shape, is fresh and rested and can cause problems for any defence with the way he plays, including Leverkusen’s. He is agile, fast and good on the ball. These are things we will need.”

Hoeneß also spoke of a “very healthy rivalry” between the two clubs. Thirteen goals have been shared across the last three meetings, including a 2-2 draw in the DFL Supercup at the beginning of the season, which Bayer Leverkusen went on to win 2-1.

Defensive alterations for Stuttgart

Anrie Chase (20) will start in defence for Stuttgart in place of Jeff Chabot, who is injured, but would miss the game regardless through suspension. The Japanese youth international will start alongside Anthony Rouault.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder