Christian Ilzer says Hoffenheim want to press Leverkusen early and break their momentum. The awkward part is who has the legs for it. Hoffenheim needed a proper performance to beat Lyon 3-0 in midweek, Bambasé Conté came off early in that game and is a doubt, and Wimmer and De Cat were already out. Leverkusen made five changes for their 2-0 at OFI Crete, so Flekken, Tapsoba, Diaby and Maza are likely back fresh, and the side being pressed may well be fresher than the side doing the pressing.
Ilzer was unusually open about it. He called the current workload "irre" (crazy) and said he sometimes makes decisions to protect players that the public won't always understand, with both clubs in the DFB-Pokal a few days later. A coach saying that while planning an aggressive press is hinting that the intensity may come in spells rather than for ninety minutes.
The reason to try it anyway is where Leverkusen have looked less comfortable. The one recent league game where an opponent really went at them was the 4-3 at Mainz, where they faced 23 shots and 3.13 xG. Against Freiburg it was close to level: 49% of the ball, 12 shots to 11. And their goals now run narrowly through Patrik Schick, who has scored in every league game this season, because Kofane, Ben Seghir and Terrier are all out. Cutting off one supply line is a more realistic job than out-playing them.
Hoffenheim's own numbers point the same way. Their home loss to Hamburg came with 64% of the ball and under 1 xG, while the Lyon win came with 43% and 21 shots. They look better reacting than carrying. So the thing I'd watch is the hour mark: if Ilzer's press has bought a lead or a level score by then and the bench (Hložek scored against Lyon) still has legs, this is a real game. If the press fades early, Leverkusen's rested starters are exactly the profile that punishes it.
