Leverkusen Team News - Soccer

Edmond Tapsoba - Trains in full, option Monday Tapsoba was spotted training in full Sunday and will be an option for Monday's clash against Central African Republic, according to Alexandre Le Grand Rouamba.

Impact Tapsoba had been forced off in the 87th minute of Friday's 1-1 draw against Benin after playing through illness, and this full session now confirms he has recovered. He has continued his role as an undisputed starter for both his country and at the heart of Leverkusen's back line this season, with his contribution in the recent draw against Augsburg underlining his regular presence under new coach Carles Martinez Novell.

13 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Edmond Tapsoba - Forced off while playing through illness Tapsoba was forced off in the 87th minute of Friday's 1-1 draw against Benin after playing through illness and being unable to give more on the pitch, according to coach Amir Abdou...

Impact Tapsoba had recently contributed an assist in the recent draw with Augsburg, continuing his role as an undisputed starter at the heart of Leverkusen's back line, and his ability to push through illness late in that match speaks to that regular presence. His recovery from the illness will be worth monitoring as he continues international duty with Burkina Faso.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Victor Boniface - Buried in striker hierarchy Boniface played five minutes in the opening match of the season but has not featured since.

Impact Boniface has fallen well down the center-forward hierarchy, with Patrik Schick and Christian Kofane both currently ahead of him. His five-minute cameo in the opener remains his only playing time this season, highlighting his peripheral role. With two alternatives ahead of him, Boniface appears dependent on rotation or absences for meaningful opportunities.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Moussa Diaby - Earns three straight starts Diaby has started each of the last three matches across all competitions after beginning his spell at the club on the bench following his arrival from Al-Ittihad.

Impact Diaby has quickly moved into a prominent attacking role following his arrival, primarily operating on the right wing while also offering an option on the left. He has attempted 10 shots, created five chances and delivered five crosses across four appearances in all competitions. Three consecutive starts suggest he has already established himself as one of the preferred options on the flanks.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Janis Blaswich - Serving as backup goalkeeper Blaswich has yet to feature in the Bundesliga this season but started the cup match against Wehen.

Impact Blaswich remains the second-choice goalkeeper behind Mark Flekken, leaving him without any Bundesliga minutes this season. His cup appearance against Wehen provided a rare opportunity for competitive action, and similar fixtures could remain his primary route to playing time. Unless Flekken is unavailable or rested, Blaswich is unlikely to see significant league action.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Loic Bade - Drops into backup role Bade has moved into a reserve role after beginning the season as a regular starter.

Impact Bade has lost ground in the central defensive hierarchy, with Facundo Medina moving ahead of him for a starting role. The defender remains an important depth option, but his recent move to the bench suggests his opportunities could increasingly depend on rotation or absences. Bade will need to make the most of his opportunities to push his way back into the starting XI.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Guela Doue - Set for further recovery Doue (calf) will not be ready for Bayer Leverkusen's trip to Mainz after the international break, with the right-back still limited to rehabilitation work, according to Kicker.

Impact Doue suffered a severe right calf injury in training shortly after his debut against Augsburg and has been working through a rehabilitation program since. His condition has improved, but he remains limited to rehabilitation work and does not expect to be available for the Mainz match after the international break, while individual running is reportedly still around a week away. That leaves the 23-year-old with further rehabilitation and conditioning to complete before a squad return can be considered, though his own expectation is that he will be playing again within a few weeks.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Eliesse Ben Seghir - Working individually Ben Seghir trained individually Tuesday after missing Sunday's 2-0 win over RB Leipzig due to minor muscular tightness, according to the club.

Impact Ben Seghir is dealing with a minor setback shortly after making his season debut in the Europa League following an extended injury absence. The attacker is not believed to have suffered a new injury, but Leverkusen are continuing to manage his workload as he works back toward full fitness. With Ben Seghir not joining Morocco during the international break, he will have additional time to recover and build his conditioning ahead of the Oct. 10 match against Mainz.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Nathan Tella - Returns to full training Tella returned to full team training Tuesday after being sidelined since late August with a muscular injury, according to the club.

Impact Tella has taken a significant step toward his return after missing Leverkusen's last five matches across all competitions. The winger will have the international break to rebuild his fitness after more than a month on the sidelines, giving him additional time before competitive action resumes. If he continues training without setbacks, Tella should be in contention to return to the squad against Mainz on Oct. 10.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Aleix Garcia - Whips in 10 crosses Garcia took two off target shots, crossed 10 times (two accurate), created a chance and made three interceptions during Sunday's 2-0 win over RB Leipzig.

Impact Garcia was active on both sides of the ball as he led Leverkusen in both crosses and interceptions during the victory. The midfielder has combined for four shots, 12 chances created and 32 crosses over his last three league starts and has taken over set piece duties for Leverkusen.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Mark Flekken - Shuts out Leipzig Flekken kept a clean sheet while making three saves during Sunday's 2-0 win over RB Leipzig.

Impact Flekken helped Leverkusen to all three points by blanking Leipzig on Sunday. The keeper has allowed just two goals while keeping two clean sheets and combining for six saves over his last three starts. Leverkusen head to Mainz for their next match following the international break.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Patrik Schick - Opens the scoring Sunday Schick scored a goal while taking four shots (three on goal) during Sunday's 2-0 win over RB Leipzig.

Impact Schick opened the scoring in the 44th minute while leading Leverkusen with his four shots. The forward has a goal in three straight Bundesliga matches while combining for 12 shots and three chances created over that stretch.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Miguel Gutierrez - Involved in both goals Gutierrez had an assits and scored a goal with his lone shot while crossing twice (one accurate) and creating two chances during Sunday's 2-0 win over RB Leipzig.

Impact Gutierrez set up Patrik Schick in the 44th minute before scoring himself in the 57th to play a role in both Leverkusen goals. The fullback has four goal involvements to go along with four shots, six chances created and 10 crosses over his last three Bundesliga starts.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Ibrahim Maza - Fit and available against Leipzig Maza (illness) is fit and available for Sunday's clash against Leipzig, according to coach Carles Martinez Novell. "He trained with us today, he is much better, he will be in the g...

Impact Maza had missed the recent Europa League opener against Celje due to illness, an issue that proved to be a quick turnaround as expected. His confirmed availability now positions him to return to Leverkusen's attack after that brief absence.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Eliesse Ben Seghir - Makes first appearance of season Ben Seghir (thigh) made his first competitive appearance of the season as a late substitute in Thursday's 2-0 Europa League win over NK Celje after recovering from a muscle injury...

Impact Ben Seghir picked up a thigh muscle injury in mid-July and ended up missing nearly two months after his expected two-to-three-week absence extended considerably. He gradually resumed team training at the end of August and was involved in large parts of sessions by early September before returning to competitive action for the final 10 minutes against NK Celje. His first appearance of the season indicates that the rehabilitation process has gone well enough for him to resume match involvement, with his workload likely to increase as he continues to regain his competitive sharpness.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Ibrahim Maza - Out to face Celje Maza (illness) is out for Thursday's match against Celje.

Impact Maza was battling an illness heading into Thursday's UEL opener, and the injury will be too much to play through, as the attacker has been left on the sidelines. The good news is he should be able to make a quick turnaround, potentially already set for a return when facing Leipzig on Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Guela Doue - Suffers calf injury, out for time being Doue is out for the time being due to a calf injury he sustained in training, according to his club.

Impact Doue is on his way to the sidelines for likely around two to three weeks, as the defender has been dealt a calf injury. This is unfortunate for the defender after he just earned his first appearance with the club, as his move to the club and fitness concerns delayed his debut. The good news is that he will likely only miss two matches due to the injury, as the international break is on the horizon, likely to be fit following the break.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Ibrahim Maza - Doubtful for Europa League opener Maza is doubtful for Wednesday's Europa League opener against NK Celje after missing Tuesday's training session due to an infection, according to Kicker.

Impact Maza's absence from training was also a precautionary measure to avoid infecting teammates, and his participation remains uncertain pending how he feels closer to kickoff. He has been in excellent form with a goal contribution in each of Leverkusen's opening two matches, most recently scoring against Union Berlin, and if he is unable to go, coach Carles Martinez Novell could turn to Afonso Moreira on the left wing with Malik Tillman moving into the number 10 role and Moussa Diaby shifting to the opening midfield spot.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Eliesse Ben Seghir - Likely against NK Celje Ben Seghir (thigh) was spotted in team training again Tuesday and should be an option for Wednesday's Europa League opener against NK Celje, the club posted.

Impact Ben Seghir had already been ruled out of the recent match against Augsburg despite reports saying he was fit to play again following the thigh injury he sustained in mid-July, stretching his absence to nearly two months beyond the original four-week projection. His confirmed full training now offers stronger hope for his first involvement of the season, positioning him to begin contributing to the rotation alongside Ibrahim Maza during the club's busy upcoming stretch.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Malik Tillman - Supplies late assist Tillman assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-2 draw versus FC Augsburg.

Impact Tillman entered for the final 15 minutes and made his limited playing time count, providing the assist for Patrik Schick's 89th-minute equalizer. The midfielder also registered one attempt as Leverkusen pushed heavily for a way back into the match. The assist was Tillman's first of the Bundesliga season and could help his case for increased minutes after coming off the bench Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Edmond Tapsoba - Provides assist in draw Tapsoba assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-2 draw versus FC Augsburg.

Impact Tapsoba created Leverkusen's opening goal with a long pass behind the Augsburg defense for Christian Kofane, who converted in the 18th minute. The center-back also registered one attempt and created one chance while completing the full 90 minutes. Tapsoba remains an undisputed starter at the heart of Leverkusen's back line and added an attacking contribution Saturday despite the defense conceding twice.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Patrik Schick - Nets late equalizer Schick scored one goal to go with four shots (one on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-2 draw against FC Augsburg.

Impact Schick replaced Christian Kofane after 63 minutes and made a decisive impact, converting Malik Tillman's delivery in the 89th minute to rescue a point for Leverkusen. He produced four attempts despite playing less than half an hour, showing his ability to generate opportunities even after being dropped to the bench for Kofane. Schick has three goals and one assist through three Bundesliga appearances this season.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Mark Flekken - Concedes twice in draw Flekken recorded three saves and allowed two goals in Saturday's 2-2 draw against FC Augsburg.

Impact Flekken kept Augsburg scoreless during the opening half but was beaten twice in five minutes after the break, with Michael Gregoritsch scoring both goals to overturn Leverkusen's advantage. The goalkeeper made three saves to prevent further damage before Patrik Schick rescued a point late on. Flekken has made six saves while conceding five goals and keeping one clean sheet through three Bundesliga appearances this season. He'll next face Leipzig in league play.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Terrier - Back on bench Terrier (undisclosed) is on the bench for Saturday's clash against Augsburg.

Impact Terrier passed his late fitness assessment after coach Carles Martinez Novell confirmed he had trained well during the week, recovering enough to earn a spot in the squad despite having failed a late fitness test ahead of the recent match against Union Berlin. The forward's encouraging training week offered a path back into the squad following a difficult start to the campaign that had already cost him matches against Elversberg and in the DFB-Pokal against Wehen. His situation remains complicated by ongoing speculation about his future at Leverkusen, and a bench role represents a cautious first step in his return to competitive action.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Eliesse Ben Seghir - Remains out Saturday Ben Seghir (thigh) is ruled out for Saturday's clash against Augsburg.

Impact Ben Seghir has been unable to earn a place in the matchday squad despite Kicker reporting he was fit to play again following the thigh injury he sustained in mid-July that stretched his absence to nearly two months beyond the original four-week projection. Coach Carles Martinez had made clear he sees the technically gifted attacker as an important piece this season, making his continued absence a frustrating development for a side that had been looking forward to having him available. His availability for the coming fixtures will be monitored closely, with the club eager to integrate him into the rotation as soon as possible alongside Ibrahim Maza during the upcoming busy stretch of matches.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

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