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By Peter Weis@PeterVicey

Xhaka remains questionable for Dortmund

Speaking at his Thursday post-match presser, Bayer 04 Leverkusen trainer Xabi Alonso revealed that pivotal midfield talisman Granit Xhaka remained questionable for Friday's showdown with Borussia Dortmund. 
Granit Xhaka.
Granit Xhaka.Sebastian Widmann, Getty Images
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Defending Bundesliga champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen may have to contend with the loss of midfield general Granit Xhaka in their pivotal showdown with Borussia Dortmund. Head coach Xabi Alonso revealed that the Swiss "flight director" was unable to complete the Thursday training session while speaking at his pre-match presser. 

An ankle sprain leaves Xhaka racing to get fit in time for the Bundesliga's 2025 "curtain raiser". Xhaka has stared all but two Leverkusen fixtures this season. In both cases - a narrow win over Jena in the opening round of the Pokal and a 1-1 draw with Brest in the Champions' League - Xabi eventually turned to his best player off the bench. 

"Xhaka couldn't do everything," Xabi noted at the Thursday presser. "We need some more time with him, but there is still hope. We have more than 24 hours. We'll have to wait and see if he's ready in time for tomorrow."

Bundesliga news

Leverkusen & BayernBayer Leverkusen CEO confident Wirtz and Alonso will stay beyond summer
Bayern & DortmundConfirmed lineups: Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund
Match report Bochum & AugsburgLate winner sees 10-man Augsburg beat Bochum
Match report Holstein Kiel & St. PauliSt. Pauli edge Kiel in relegation battle with dramatic injury-time winner
Match report Leverkusen & Union BerlinLeverkusen's title challenge dented by 0-0 draw with Union
Match report Hoffenheim & MainzKramaric's brace lifts Hoffenheim to important win over Mainz
Match report Gladbach & FreiburgFreiburg climb past Gladbach after late winner
Mainz 05Burkardt misses Mainz's clash with Hoffenheim
Rumor Bayer 04 LeverkusenUncertain future for Tah, but Leverkusen stay ruled out
AugsburgAugsburg defender wins Rookie of the Month
Match report Leipzig, WolfsburgLeipzig climb to Champions League place with thrilling win
Preview Kiel, St. PauliHolstein Kiel v St. Pauli preview: Newcomers battle in classic relegation six-pointer
Preview Bochum, AugsburgVfL Bochum v FC Augsburg preview: Rock solid FCA travel to relegation-threatened Blues

Table

Bundesliga

Regular Season

#TeamP
1 FC Bayern68
2 Leverkusen63
3 Frankfurt48
4 RB Leipzig48
5 Mainz 0546
6 Freiburg45
7 Gladbach44
8 Augsburg42
9 Dortmund41
10 Stuttgart40
11 Bremen39
12 Wolfsburg38
13 Union Berlin34
14 Hoffenheim30
15 St. Pauli29
16 Heidenheim22
17 Bochum20
18 Holstein Kiel18
View full table
Kickfieber

Match days

Bayern & DortmundConfirmed lineups: Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund
Match report Bochum & AugsburgLate winner sees 10-man Augsburg beat Bochum
Match report Holstein Kiel & St. PauliSt. Pauli edge Kiel in relegation battle with dramatic injury-time winner
Match report Leverkusen & Union BerlinLeverkusen's title challenge dented by 0-0 draw with Union
Match report Hoffenheim & MainzKramaric's brace lifts Hoffenheim to important win over Mainz
Match report Gladbach & FreiburgFreiburg climb past Gladbach after late winner
Mainz 05Burkardt misses Mainz's clash with Hoffenheim
Match report Leipzig, WolfsburgLeipzig climb to Champions League place with thrilling win
Preview Kiel, St. PauliHolstein Kiel v St. Pauli preview: Newcomers battle in classic relegation six-pointer
Preview Bochum, AugsburgVfL Bochum v FC Augsburg preview: Rock solid FCA travel to relegation-threatened Blues
Preview Hoffenheim, MainzTSG Hoffenheim v Mainz preview: Spirited 05ers aim three points in front of “home” support
Bayern, DortmundKompany talks about a BVB player he once labelled “future Ballon d’Or candidate”
Preview Bayern, DortmundBayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund preview: Bundesliga giants lock horns after European woes
Bayer 04 LeverkusenWirtz set for Leverkusen return against Union Berlin
MainzMainz will travel to Hoffenheim with 10,000 fans
Borussia DortmundNiko Kovac: "We have to do more against top teams”
VfL WolfsburgWolfsburg injuries starting to clear up ahead of Leipzig clash
Bayer 04 LeverkusenWirtz in line for return against Union Berlin, confirms Rolfes
BundesligaBundesliga Team of the Week: Matchday 28
Match report UNION BERLIN & WOLFSBURGHollerbach strike sees Union Berlin past Wolfsburg
Match report St. Pauli & GladbachSt. Pauli strike late to earn point against Gladbach
Post-match reaction Bremen, FrankfurtOle Werner: “We were the better team”
Post-match reaction RB LeipzigZsolt Löw: “I'm proud of the team”
Post-match reaction Stuttgart, BochumSebastian Hoeneß: “It was an emotional week”
Post-match reaction Bayer LeverkusenXabi Alonso: “Our game wasn't the best”

German Teams in Europe

Match report Europa LeagueSantos secures important draw for Frankfurt against Tottenham
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundKovac reacts to crushing 4-0 defeat: "We need to defend together"
Borussia DortmundAdeyemi slams "embarrassing" Dortmund performance against Barcelona
Match report UEFA Champions LeagueBVB blown away by bullish Barcelona
Borussia DortmundConfirmed lineups: FC Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund
Preview Eintracht FrankfurtTottenham vs. Eintracht Frankfurt preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Post-match reaction FC BayernVincent Kompany: "We still fully believe in our chances"
Post-match reaction FC BayernLaimer confident Bayern can turn tie around after "frustrating" 1-2 defeat to Inter
Post-match reaction FC BayernThomas Müller: "We wanted a different result, but we know all is not lost"
FC BayernConfirmed lineups: Bayern Munich vs. Inter
Predicted lineups Bayern & DortmundPredicted Champions League lineups: How all teams could line up for the quarter-final first legs
Preview Borussia DortmundFC Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund preview: Team news and predicted lineups
FC BayernKompany discusses injury concerns ahead of Bayern's first-leg clash with Inter
Preview FC BayernBayern Munich vs. Inter preview: Team news and predicted lineups
FC Bayern Bayern receive injury boost ahead of Inter tie
Post-match reaction German national teamGermany vs Italy: Player ratings
Other Bayer LeverkusenLeverkusen in the race for Laureus Sport award
Facts BUNDESLIGA IN EUROPEHow can the Bundesliga get an extra Champions League spot?
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundPascal Groß celebrates "really good team performance" against Lille
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundEmre Can: "I thought we were brilliant in the second half"
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundKovac hails "great team performance" after Lille win
Match report Borussia Dortmund Brilliant Beier blasts Borussia Dortmund into quarter-final berth
Preview UEFA Champions LeagueConfirmed Lineups: LOSC Lille vs. Borussia Dortmund
Eintracht Frankfurt"We want to advance to the next round" - Ansgar Knauff
Eintracht FrankfurtDino Toppmöller demands "focused and concentrated" performance against Ajax

DFB-Pokal

VfB StuttgartWoltemade on reaching the DFB-Pokal final: "One of the best moments of my career"
Match report VfB Stuttgart & RB Leipzig Stuttgart book their place in DFB-Pokal final
VfB Stuttgart & RB Leipzig Confirmed lineups: VfB Stuttgart vs. RB Leipzig
Editor's pick Arminia BielefeldWhat happens if Arminia Bielefeld win the DFB-Pokal?
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenXabi Alonso admits Leverkusen deserved to lose to Bielefeld: "Almost nothing worked"
Post-match reaction Arminia BielefeldArminia Bielefeld coach on sensational semi-final win over Leverkusen: "No one will be sleeping tonight"
Bayer 04 LeverkusenAndrich self-critical after Leverkusen's cup exit: "By far our worst game of the season"
Match report DFB-PokalArminia Bielefeld shock Leverkusen to reach first DFB-Pokal final in club history
DFB-PokalConfirmed lineups: Arminia Bielefeld vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Preview Stuttgart & RB LeipzigVfB Stuttgart vs. RB Leipzig preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Bayer 04 LeverkusenAlonso gives update on Tella, Wirtz and Tapsoba ahead of Bielefeld clash
Preview Bielefeld & LeverkusenArminia Bielefeld vs. Bayer Leverkusen preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Leverkusen, Bielefeld, Leipzig, StuttgartPokal draw: Leverkusen play third-tier Bielefeld, Leipzig away at Stuttgart
Post-match reaction Leipzig & WolfsburgLeipzig's handball penalty against Wolfsburg sparks debate
Match report RB Leipzig & WolfsburgSesko penalty sees Leipzig book semi-final spot
RB Leipzig & WolfsburgConfirmed lineups: RB Leipzig vs VfL Wolfsburg, DFB-Pokal quarter final
Post-match reaction Werder BremenBittencourt lashes out at Köhn after cup defeat
Post-match reaction Werder BremenWerner reacts to Werder's shocking cup exit: "We missed out on a huge opportunity"
Match report DFB-Pokal Giant-killing continues as Bielefeld roll past Bremen into Pokal final-four
Preview Leipzig & WolfsburgRB Leipzig vs. Wolfsburg preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Bielefeld & WerderArminia Bielefeld vs Werder Bremen preview: Can Bielefeld keep their cup dream alive?
Post-match reaction Köln & LeverkusenKöln defender lashes out at "arrogant" Leverkusen after Pokal defeat
Match report BAYER LEVERKUSENBayer Leverkusen squeeze past Köln into Pokal semis
Bayer LeverkusenAlonso expresses excitement for derby
Match report VfB StuttgartStuttgart end losing streak to reach Pokal semis

German National Team

German National TeamNagelsmann's deal includes release clause valid from 2027
DFBVöller extends contract with DFB
Facts German National TeamGermany's EURO 2024 nets €2.5billion record windfall for UEFA
Post-match reaction DFBGermany boss singles out Kleindienst for praise after Italy draw
Post-match reaction DFBNagelsmann reacts to Germany's wild 3-3 draw with Italy
Match report German national teamNationalelf secure Nations League semi-final place despite late drama
GermanyConfirmed Lineups: Germany vs. Italy
DFBNagelsmann confirms ter Stegen is still seen as Germany's first-choice goalkeeper
GermanyKleindienst certain to start against Italy
Other GermanyOliver Baumann: "I've always accepted every role”
Preview GermanyJulian Nagelsmann: “We want to write our own history”
Preview DFBGermany vs. Italy preview: Team news and predicted lineups
DFBVöller postpones decision on Germany future
Post-match reaction German National TeamGoretzka jubilant after comeback against Italy: "It feels nice to be back"
Post-match reaction German National Team"Happy with the win and the performance" - Kimmich reflects on victory in Milan
Post-match reaction German National TeamJulian Nagelsmann: "The team showed desire and did everything to win"
Post-match reaction German National TeamGermany player ratings against Italy
Match report German National TeamGoretzka guides Germany to first-leg comeback victory over Italy
Preview German National TeamConfirmed Lineups: Italy vs. Germany
DFBGoretzka earns praise from Nagelsmann amid reports he will start for Germany against Italy
DFBNagelsmann opens up about tight goalkeeping battle
German National TeamLina Magull retires from the Germany women's national team
DFB & AugsburgDahmen on standby for Germany
DFBItaly without star striker against Germany
FC Bayern & DFBBayern's Urbig withdraws from Germany U21 squad due to injury

Long reads

Editor's pick Arminia BielefeldBelief in Bielefeld: How Pokal underdogs Arminia plotted an historic path to Berlin
Editor's pick Arminia BielefeldWhat happens if Arminia Bielefeld win the DFB-Pokal?
Editor's pick MainzWho is the maverick man leading Mainz to the Champions League? – Discovering who Bo Henriksen is by those that knew him
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWhat's going wrong with Werder Bremen?
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaBundesliga European race: The full assessment
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWerder Bremen and Andre Silva: A potentially sneaky important move
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 19
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWerder Bremen and the potential curse of Heidenheim
Analysis/Commentary SV Werder BremenWhy Werder Bremen have made a change at wingback
Analysis/Commentary BayernJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: FC Bayern München
Analysis/Commentary Bayer 04 LeverkusenJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Analysis/Commentary FC St. Pauli January 2025 Transfer Primer: FC St. Pauli
Analysis/Commentary SC FreiburgJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: SC Freiburg
Analysis/Commentary 1. FC HeidenheimJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: FC Heidenheim
Analysis/Commentary VfL BochumJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: VfL Bochum
Analysis/Commentary Union BerlinJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Union Berlin
Analysis/Commentary Eintracht FrankfurtJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Eintracht Frankfurt
Analysis/Commentary TSG 1899 HoffenheimJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Werder Bremen
Analysis/Commentary RB LeipzigJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: RB Leipzig
Analysis/Commentary Borussia MönchengladbachJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Borussia Mönchengladbach
Analysis/Commentary VfL WolfsburgJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: VfL Wolfsburg
Analysis/Commentary FSV Mainz 05January 2025 Transfer Primer: FSV Mainz 05
Analysis/Commentary FC AugsburgJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: FC Augsburg
Analysis/Commentary Holstein Kiel January 2025 Transfer Primer: Holstein Kiel

Exclusive interviews

Exclusive interview VfL WolfsburgEXCLUSIVE: Mads Roerslev opens up on injury struggles, Wolfsburg loan so far, future and more
Interview BundesligaEXCLUSIVE: Michael Owen talks Kane, Musiala, Sancho and looks back on famous hat-trick against Germany
Editor's pick Bundesliga & DFBEXCLUSIVE: Dietmar Hamann on the Bundesliga title fight, Der Klassiker and Nagelsmann's start as Germany coach
Editor's pick MainzEXCLUSIVE: Danny da Costa rules out future coaching job
Interview Bayer LeverkusenEXCLUSIVE: Edmond Tapsoba on England links, his role models and Leverkusen's struggles this season
Interview Bundesliga InterviewEXCLUSIVE: From infancy to Eisernen - An Interview with Union Berlin’s rising star Laurenz Dehl
Editor's pick LeverkusenSimon Rolfes interview – part two: Leverkusen boss points out "problem" with German youth development
Editor's pick LeverkusenFernando Carro interview: Bayer Leverkusen CEO says Bundesliga rights are “sold under value”, questions 50+1 rule
Editor's pick Bayer 04 LeverkusenSimon Rolfes interview: Leverkusen boss on global scouting, Frimpong’s “fantastic” rise and more
Editor's pick WolfsburgEXCLUSIVE: Jonas Wind on Wolfsburg's poor start, Niko Kovac, his dream club and more
Editor's pick EXCLUSIVE: Wolfsburg's Jonas Wind gives injury update, shares thoughts on ...
Editor's pick DortmundEXCLUSIVE: Ex-BVB star and agent Niclas Jensen on life on and off the pitch and why Bielefeld's Bello is one to watch
Editor's pick GladbachEXCLUSIVE: Gladbach's Joe Scally on first United States call-up and World Cup chances
Editor's pick GladbachEXCLUSIVE: Gladbach and USMNT defender Joe Scally on his rise to stardom and season so far

Team News