Leverkusen's Injury Woes: A DFB-Pokal Challenge Against Dortmund Looms

Bayer Leverkusen is caught in a storm of injuries as they prepare for a critical DFB-Pokal showdown against Borussia Dortmund. Scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2025, this match promises to be a test of resilience, strategy, and depth. Injuries have cast a long shadow over the team's preparation, threatening to derail their cup ambitions.

Brazilian midfielder Arthur, a linchpin in Leverkusen's strategy, is grappling with a stubborn back injury. This issue arose during November's international break, and his participation in the upcoming fixture hangs in the balance. The uncertainty around his fitness leaves a significant void in the midfield that coach Kasper Hjulmand must fill.

The defensive lineup is also under siege. Argentine defender Ezequiel Fernandez has been plagued by a knee problem for over a month, severely limiting his availability. This persistent issue has forced Hjulmand to explore alternative defensive setups, challenging their backline stability against a formidable Dortmund attack.

But the injuries don't stop there. Fellow Argentine, midfielder Exequiel Palacios, is sidelined with a groin injury. His absence from recent matches has been a blow to Leverkusen’s midfield dynamism and creativity. Palacios' injury compounds the difficulties for Hjulmand, who now faces a tactical conundrum against a team they recently lost to in the Bundesliga.

The timing couldn't be worse. Just four days after their Bundesliga face-off, the DFB-Pokal clash demands a quick turnaround and adaptive tactics. The recent league defeat is fresh in their minds, adding pressure to make amends and advance in the cup competition.

As Leverkusen braces for this challenge, the spotlight is on Hjulmand's ability to adapt. Can he marshal his squad and overcome these injuries? The answer lies in how the team navigates this critical juncture, with the weight of expectation on their shoulders and Dortmund ready to exploit any weakness.