Elversberg debut against champions Leverkusen as Onyeka faces parent club | OneFootball

Elversberg play their first-ever Bundesliga match on Saturday, hosting 2023/24 champions Bayer Leverkusen. It is also a top-flight debut for coaches Vincent Wagner and Carles Martínez. Loanee Francis Onyeka will face his parent club after settling the DFB-Pokal at Duisburg.

According to BuLi News, Elversberg have climbed with three promotions in five seasons. Holstein Kiel went straight back down, but the previous four newcomers stayed up, with Heidenheim reaching Europe in year two.

Die Elv have invested for their maiden campaign. Alongside the 19-year-old, Cole Campbell, Maurice Krattenmacher, Noel Futkeu and Noah Darvich are expected to debut. Captain Lukas Pinckert returns after a cup suspension.

Leverkusen start anew under Martínez after a turbulent year. Erik ten Hag was dismissed after squandered leads in the first two matchdays, then Kasper Hjulmand delivered Europa League qualification and a good Champions League run before it was clear they would part at season’s end. Martínez recorded three midtable finishes with Toulouse and becomes Leverkusen’s second Spaniard after Xabi Alonso.

Robert Andrich is being pushed towards the exit despite Exequiel Palacios joining Ipswich Town. New signing Kennet Eichhorn must wait, while Miguel Gutiérrez, Facundo Medina and Afonso Moreira are candidates to start.

The clubs have met twice in the DFB-Pokal in the last five years. Elversberg, then newly up to 3. Liga, stunned Leverkusen 4-3 to open 2022/23, while the most recent tie went to Die Werkself thanks to Patrik Schick’s brace and an Aleix García free-kick.

Source: BuLi News

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