EXEQUIEL PALACIOS NEWS

Extends through 2030 Palacios (groin) signed an extension with Leverkusen through 2030, the club announced.

Impact Palacios is currently on the sideline with a groin injury, but signed an extension through 2030 with the club. The midfielder has been a consistent depth option, never really taking a major starting role, but consistently playing solid minutes when anyone else is out. Palacios will hope to get back in the squad early in 2026.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return before 2026 Palacios has suffered a groin injury in Friday's 3-1 victory against Frankfurt and won't return before 2026, the club announced.

Impact Palacios will miss the rest of 2025 with a groin injury suffered in Friday's clash against the eagles. This is a big blow for Leverkusen since the midfielder is an undisputed starter when fit. His absence will have to be replaced in the midfield, with Aleix Garcia likely getting a larger role while he is out.

SEPTEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Forced off injured Palacios was forced off in the 15th minute of Friday's match against Frankfurt due to an apparent injury.

Impact Palacios had to leave the field early Friday, only lasting 15 minutes into the match after picking up an apparent injury. This will be something to watch moving forward, as this was his first start of the season. He was replaced by Aleix Garcia, a likely replacement moving forward if Palacios remains out.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Saturday Palacios (hamstring) is on the bench for Saturday's clash against Bremen.

Impact Palacios will start Saturday's match on the bench after recovering from a recent hamstring injury. The midfielder returned to training Thursday and was able to take part in the final session Friday. That said, it's unclear how much time he'll be used given his limited preparation.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Doubtful for Saturday Palacios (hamstring) is doubtful for Saturday's match against Werder Bremen, according to manager Erik Ten Hag. "They haven't trained all week but only some parts, but were fully i...

Impact Palacios looks to be on the outside looking in for Saturday's match, as the midfielder has yet to train after suffering a hamstring injury. He will try to test it in training Friday, with that likely deciding if he plays. That said, his chances of making it seem slim, probably seeing the bench if fit.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers hamstring injury Palacios suffered a hamstring injury in the last pre-season friendly against Pisa and is out for the time being, the club announced.

Impact Palacios is dealing with a left hamstring injury suffered against Pisa in a pre-season friendly and is out for the time being. This is bad news for Leverkusen since Palacios is an important player in the midfield and he could potentially miss the beginning of the season. If this is the case, Robert Andrich and Aleix Garcia are expected to get bigger roles in central midfield under new coach Ten Hag.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Limited off bench Palacios made just 11 starts (24 appearances) scoring once and assisting six times in the Bundesliga.

Impact Palacios saw fewer minutes than in the prior two seasons but was still efficient with seven goal contributions. He was rotated surprisingly frequently throughout the season, often starting on the bench including in two of the final three matches. With a new manager joining Leverkusen there's always potential for a major shake up in playing time and roles, with Palacios likely vying for starting minutes.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Bayern spurns chance to go 8 points clear in Bundesliga as Dortmund draws 'Klassiker' 2-2

Borussia Dortmund has prevented Bayern Munich from going eight points clear in the Bundesliga by fighting back for a 2-2 draw in “der Klassiker.”

APRIL 12 • Associated Press

Leverkusen says Florian Wirtz is back to help late Bundesliga title push

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso says star player Florian Wirtz has recovered from injury, boosting the team’s late hopes of defending its Bundesliga title from Bayern Munich

APRIL 11 • Associated Press

Assists twice Friday Palacios had two assists while taking an off target shots, creating four chances and making two tackles (winning both) during Friday's 3-1 win over Bochum.

Impact Palacios set up Aleix Garcia in the 20th minute and Amine Adli in the 87th while leading Leverkusen in tackles and chances created. The assists were the first goal involvements since December for Palacios who has combined for five chances created over his last two league starts.

MARCH 28 • ROTOWIRE

Bundesliga resumes with Bayern and Leverkusen assessing damage after international break

The Bundesliga returns dented by the international break as Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen assess the toll on their players

MARCH 27 • Associated Press

Plays full game Palacios had three tackles (one won) and two interceptions in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Bayern Munich.

Impact Palacios made 66 passes. completed a dribble and also made three tackles and two interceptions. This was only his sixth start of the campaign and his first start in a over a month.

FEBRUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Assists as starter Palacios delivered an assist to go with two chances created in Saturday's 5-1 win against Freiburg.

Impact Palacios was in the starting XI after being on the bench in the previous match against Augsburg. He provided a brilliant assist for Florian Wirtz's skillful goal right after halftime. This is Palacios' fourth assist of the season in the Bundesliga, matching his career-high from last season in 15 fewer matches. He will look to surpass his career-high assist total against Dortmund on Jan. 10.

DECEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Goal and assist in rout Palacios scored one goal and assisted once from one shot and four chances created in Saturday's 5-2 victory against FC Heidenheim.

Impact Palacios bagged his first goal and third assist of the Bundesliga season Saturday in a rare staring opportunity after making just five appearances (two starts) over Leverkusen's first 11 league fixtures. The midfielder also added one tackle (one won) and an interception to the defensive effort. With teammate and fellow midfielder Jeremie Frimpong being removed from Saturday's action with an apparent injury, Palacios will have made his case for additional opportunities with the Leverkusen starting XI.

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Two assists in start Palacios assisted twice to go with zero corners and six chances created in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Holstein Kiel.

Impact On Saturday, Palacios logged his first start of the 2024-25 Bundesliga. He made a significant impact in eight minutes, logging assists to goals scored by Victor Boniface and Jonas Hofmann.

OCTOBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Earns spot on team sheet Palacios (knee) is on the bench for Thursday's match against Feyenoord.

Impact Palacios is returning after around a month out due to meniscus surgery, having earned a spot on the bench. After such a long absence, it will be interesting to see if he earns a few minutes at the end of the match to test his legs. He did start in 21 of his 24 appearances in their historic season last campaign, so he will hope to see similar time this campaign.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to squad Palacios (knee) is in the squad for Thursday's trip to Feyenoord, according to manager Xabi Alonso.

Impact Palacios underwent meniscus surgery early in August and is now back in contention for a spot. He likely won't earn any starts in the coming weeks, but he should be a valuable depth option as he completes his recovery to full match fitness.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoes surgery Palacios has undergone surgery on his meniscus and is set to miss the next two to three months, according to his club.

Impact Palacios will not begin the season with the club as intended and instead will be placed on the injury list following his surgery. He received the surgery immediately after his time in Copa America around a month ago and has just returned to Leverkusen to begin his recovery. He is set to start his recovery in around four weeks, likely leaving the player out for around a month or two after. That said, don't expect him to return until sometime in October, possibly even later after such a serious operation.

AUGUST 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Excellent when fit Palacios scored four goals and assisted four more during 24 appearances (21 starts) in the Bundesliga.

Impact Palacios was brilliant once he overcame some injuries. The midfielder was nearly undroppable for large parts of the season and even added some offense to his game from defensive midfield. Granit Xhaka has unlocked Palacios in a big way, and as long as both remain in Leverkusen both should be strong producers.

MAY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Leverkusen coach Alonso opts for Palacios over Andrich in Europa League final against Atalanta

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has opted to start Argentina midfielder Exequiel Palacios over Robert Andrich in the Europa League final against Atalanta in Dublin

MAY 22, 2024 • Associated Press

Nets penalty Palacios scored one goal to go with two shots (two on goal) in Sunday's 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Impact Palacios stepped up to take the lead from the penalty spot and made no mistake early in the second half. The midfielder has been excellent alongside Granit Xhaka in holding midfield, forming a fantastic pairing. Palacios is fit once more and should continue to split minutes in the starting XI with Robert Andrich.

MAY 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Assist in Bundesliga return Palacios assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal) and one chance created in Sunday's 5-0 victory against Werder Bremen.

Impact Palacios sat out Bayer Leverkusen's close win at Union Berlin, so he made his return in a more comfortable setting with a substitute appearance Sunday. By helping Florian Wirtz log one of his goals for a hat-trick, Palacios also got what is now a second assist across his last three Bundesliga appearances. With the league championship now in Leverkusen's hands, Palacios will hope there will be a lot more leeway as the season progresses, so much so that he can return back to the team's starting XI.

APRIL 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Assist in Bundesliga return Palacios assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal) and one chance created in Sunday's 5-0 victory against Werder Bremen.

Impact Palacios sat out Bayer Leverkusen's close win at Union Berlin, so he made his return in a more comfortable setting with a substitute appearance Sunday. By helping Florian Wirtz log one of his goals for a hat-trick, Palacios also got what is now a second assist across his last three Bundesliga appearances. With the league championship now in Leverkusen's hands, Palacios will hope there will be a lot more leeway as the season progresses, so much so that he can return back to the team's starting XI.

APRIL 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Available from bench Palacios (thigh) is available from the bench for Saturday's match against Union Berlin.

Impact Palacios returns after missing last week's match due to a thigh injury. The midfielder had started two league matches in a row prior to injury and will compete with Robert Andrich for starts moving forward.

APRIL 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Traveling Saturday Palacios (thigh) is in the traveling squad for Saturday's trip to Union Berlin, Leverkusen announced.

Impact Palacios is back in the traveling squad for Saturday's clash after overcoming a thigh injury. It's unclear if he will be deemed fit enough to start straight away, though it's possible. If he's unable to start it would be Robert Andrich back in central midfield.

APRIL 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE