Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Granit Xhaka is racing to recover from an ankle injury in time for Friday's Bundesliga restart at Borussia Dortmund, with coach Xabi Alonso sounding hopeful the Swiss international could be fit by then.

Granit Xhaka is a doubt for Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga clash against Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion on Friday night. Xabi Alonso will also be without Amine Adli for 2025’s opening

Bayer Leverkusen defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in the Bundesliga, keeping pressure on leaders Bayern Munich. Nathan Tella scored just 24 seconds into the match, and Patrik Schick added a second goal shortly after.

A late Serhou Guirassy penalty gave Dortmund hope but Leverkusen held on for their ninth straight win in all competitions, turning up the heat on Bayern, who travel to Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday.

The German Bundesliga returns after the winter break with Borussia Dortmund at home to defending champions Bayer Leverkusen on Friday. Nuri Sahin's men host Xabi Alonso's side at Signal Iduna Park with BVB having won just one of their last five games pre-Christmas.

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has provided a fitness update on Victor Boniface ahead of his side’s Bundesliga clash with Borussia Dortmund. Boniface has been sidelined since sustaining a thigh injury on international duty last November.

Champions Bayer Leverkusen are sweating on the fitness of playmaker Granit Xhaka when they aim to continue their winning ways at Borussia Dortmund in Friday's Bundesliga restart. Coach Xabi Alonso said on Thursday that Xhaka,