[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-leverkusen-s-veteran-core-drives-champions-league-push-as-new-signings-struggle":43,"news-related-leverkusen-s-veteran-core-drives-champions-league-push-as-new-signings-struggle-en":79,"news-related-match-leverkusen-s-veteran-core-drives-champions-league-push-as-new-signings-struggle-en":26},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":28,"hostCities":39},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",6,23,"upcoming",[40,41,42],"Mexico City","Monterrey","Zapopan",{"article":44},{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":45,"category":46,"excerpt":47,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":48,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":52,"slug":53,"sourceName":54,"sourceURL":55,"teamId":56,"teamName":57,"teamIds":58,"teamNames":68,"title":78},"Bayer Leverkusen have surged to fourth place in the Bundesliga, putting their primary season objective—Champions League qualification—within touching distance. The team can now achieve this goal on their own merit, without relying on results elsewhere. However, the driving force behind this ascent is not the flurry of summer activity but the club's established 'old masters.'\n\nThe 14 new signings brought in during the summer overhaul have largely failed to make the desired impact. Under head coach Kasper Hjulmand, their development has lagged, leaving the squad reliant on seasoned veterans to carry the load. This dynamic has become a defining narrative of Leverkusen's campaign.\n\nAmong the veterans, players like those who have been with the club through previous highs and lows have stepped up. Their consistency and composure in key moments have provided the stability that the newcomers have not yet offered. This contrast is stark: while the new faces struggle for form, the old guard delivers results.\n\nThe implications for Leverkusen are significant. Securing fourth place would represent a success for a club that underwent a major squad reconstruction. Yet it also raises questions about the effectiveness of the transfer strategy and the coaching staff's ability to integrate new talent. For now, the team's identity remains rooted in its experienced core.\n\nIn the broader context of the Bundesliga, Leverkusen's position is a testament to the value of continuity. Other clubs with younger squads may look enviously at the resilience shown by the 'old masters.' However, the long-term sustainability of this approach is uncertain. The club must eventually see returns on its investment in the 14 newcomers.\n\nHjulmand faces mounting pressure to accelerate the development of these players. While the veterans have kept the ship afloat, the team's future growth depends on the new generation stepping up. The coach's tactical decisions and man-management will be critical in the coming weeks.\n\nIf Leverkusen do clinch fourth, it will be a bittersweet achievement—a triumph of experience over transition. The club will celebrate, but the underlying issues of squad cohesion and player development will need addressing in the next window. For now, though, the focus remains on the immediate task.\n\nThe story of this season is not about a successful revolution but about the enduring influence of the club's backbone. The 'old masters' have kept Bayer in the race, providing the solid foundation that allows the team to dream of European nights again.\n\nAs the season enters its decisive phase, all eyes will be on how Hjulmand balances reliance on veterans with the need to blood new talent. One thing is clear: without the old guard, Leverkusen would not be in this position. Their contribution has been indispensable.\n\nBased on reporting from kicker Bundesliga News.","news","Bayer Leverkusen's climb to fourth place in the Bundesliga owes more to experienced players than to the 14 summer arrivals, whose development under Kasper Hjulmand has been underwhelming. The club's season goal is now within reach.","327180148417761281","326135627168878592","Bundesliga","0","2026-05-05T15:44:01Z","leverkusen-s-veteran-core-drives-champions-league-push-as-new-signings-struggle","Kicker","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kicker.de\u002Fgeglueckter-umbruch-die-alten-meister-halten-bayer-im-rennen-1216534\u002Fartikel#omrss","326257534396534784","Bayer Leverkusen",[56,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67],"326222711976103936","326222712324231168","326255040442404864","326257534430089216","326257545754710016","326257546392244224","326257552176189440","326222707169431552","326222713142120448",[57,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77],"Australia","Austria","Austria Vienna","Eintracht Frankfurt","Newcastle","Nottingham Forest","Austria Salzburg","Anderlecht","Canada","Leverkusen's Veteran Core Drives Champions League Push as New Signings Struggle",[80,116,143,165],{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":81,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":82,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":83,"slug":84,"sourceName":85,"sourceURL":86,"teamId":87,"teamName":88,"teamIds":89,"teamNames":102,"title":115},"LaLiga sees a rise in German-trained coaches as Edin Terzic takes over Athletic Bilbao, joining Pellegrino Matarazzo at Real Sociedad. The first derby between the two tactical minds is on the horizon.","327373193058717697","2026-05-06T05:45:00Z","german-coaching-influence-grows-in-laliga-as-terzic-and-matarazzo-set-for-first-derby-clash","Mundo Deportivo","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mundodeportivo.com\u002Ffutbol\u002Fathletic-bilbao\u002F20260506\u002F1004179366\u002Fprimer-derbi-terzic-matarazzo-llegara-pronto.html","326257565702819840","Real Sociedad",[87,90,66,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101],"326257539962376192","326222712592666624","326257556634734592","326257565195309056","326257615342407680","326257616567144448","326257618911760384","326257640424345600","326257808217477120","326257534329425920","326222712076767232","326222711653142528",[88,103,76,104,105,106,107,108,109,110,111,112,113,114],"Como","Congo DR","Barracas Central","Barcelona","FC Winterthur","Bari","Sportivo Barracas","Constància","Derby","Borussia Dortmund","Germany","Spain","German Coaching Influence Grows in LaLiga as Terzic and Matarazzo Set for First Derby Clash",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":117,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":118,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":119,"slug":120,"sourceName":85,"sourceURL":121,"teamId":122,"teamName":123,"teamIds":124,"teamNames":133,"title":142},"Real Madrid Castilla's 19-year-old defender Victor Valdepenas is being monitored by clubs from the Bundesliga and Premier League, signaling the rising talent's potential move to top European leagues.","327182197414957057","2026-05-06T02:38:34Z","real-madrid-castilla-defender-victor-valdepenas-attracts-interest-from","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mundodeportivo.com\u002Ffutbol\u002Freal-madrid\u002F20260505\u002F1004179173\u002Fcanterano-real-madrid-quiere-bundesliga-premier.html","326257565535047680","Real Madrid",[122,66,125,126,127,128,129,130,131,132,64],"326257537865224192","326257556060114944","326257610309242880","326257618995646464","326257621004718080","326257621155713024","326257769613103104","326222707249123328",[123,76,134,135,136,137,138,139,140,141,74],"Estoril","Estudiantes L.P.","Club Queretaro","CA Estudiantes","Esteghlal FC","Esteghlal Khuzestan","Capital","Zulte Waregem","Real Madrid Castilla Defender Victor Valdepenas Attracts Interest from Bundesliga and Premier League Clubs",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":144,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":145,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":146,"slug":147,"sourceName":148,"sourceURL":149,"teamId":150,"teamName":151,"teamIds":152,"teamNames":158,"title":164},"Galatasaray's Leroy Sane has reportedly received positive news from Germany, raising hopes about his future with the Turkish giants. The development, though unverified, could boost the winger's confidence and impact his role.","327179858985619457","2026-05-06T02:29:17Z","leroy-sane-receives-encouraging-update-from-germany-galatasaray-star-s","Hürriyet Spor","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hurriyet.com.tr\u002Fsporarena\u002Fgalatasarayli-saneye-almanyadan-mujde-43132414","326257541157752832","Galatasaray",[150,100,153,154,155,66,64,156,157],"326257584308752384","326257764663824384","326257695210344448","326257613643714560","326257623760375808",[151,113,159,160,161,76,74,162,163],"Danubio","Galata","Signal","Hassania Agadir","FC Anyang","Leroy Sane Receives Encouraging Update from Germany, Galatasaray Star's Prospects Brighten",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":166,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":167,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":168,"slug":169,"sourceName":170,"sourceURL":171,"teamId":172,"teamName":173,"teamIds":174,"teamNames":180,"title":186},"Le Havre's 19-year-old forward Kenny Quetant is reportedly on the verge of joining Bundesliga side Werder Bremen, bypassing a professional contract with his French club.","327185892844244993","2026-05-05T16:45:30Z","teenage-havre-forward-kenny-quetant-nears-move-to-werder-bremen","L'Equipe","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FActualites\u002FMercato-kenny-quetant-attaquant-havrais-de-19-ans-proche-du-werder-breme\u002F1673387#at_medium=RSS_feeds","326257534270705664","Werder Bremen",[172,175,125,126,176,177,128,129,130,100,66,67,178,179],"326257536334303232","326257561546264576","326257600507154432","326255042464059392","326257536372051968",[173,181,134,135,182,183,137,138,139,113,76,77,184,185],"Le Havre","Sonderjyske","Deportivo Pasto","Penybont","Metz","Teenage Havre Forward Kenny Quetant Nears Move to Werder Bremen"]