EXEQUIEL PALACIOS NEWS

Two assists in start Palacios assisted twice to go with zero corners and six chances created in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Holstein Kiel.

Impact On Saturday, Palacios logged his first start of the 2024-25 Bundesliga. He made a significant impact in eight minutes, logging assists to goals scored by Victor Boniface and Jonas Hofmann.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Earns spot on team sheet Palacios (knee) is on the bench for Thursday's match against Feyenoord.

Impact Palacios is returning after around a month out due to meniscus surgery, having earned a spot on the bench. After such a long absence, it will be interesting to see if he earns a few minutes at the end of the match to test his legs. He did start in 21 of his 24 appearances in their historic season last campaign, so he will hope to see similar time this campaign.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to squad Palacios (knee) is in the squad for Thursday's trip to Feyenoord, according to manager Xabi Alonso.

Impact Palacios underwent meniscus surgery early in August and is now back in contention for a spot. He likely won't earn any starts in the coming weeks, but he should be a valuable depth option as he completes his recovery to full match fitness.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoes surgery Palacios has undergone surgery on his meniscus and is set to miss the next two to three months, according to his club.

Impact Palacios will not begin the season with the club as intended and instead will be placed on the injury list following his surgery. He received the surgery immediately after his time in Copa America around a month ago and has just returned to Leverkusen to begin his recovery. He is set to start his recovery in around four weeks, likely leaving the player out for around a month or two after. That said, don't expect him to return until sometime in October, possibly even later after such a serious operation.

AUGUST 5 • ROTOWIRE

Excellent when fit Palacios scored four goals and assisted four more during 24 appearances (21 starts) in the Bundesliga.

Impact Palacios was brilliant once he overcame some injuries. The midfielder was nearly undroppable for large parts of the season and even added some offense to his game from defensive midfield. Granit Xhaka has unlocked Palacios in a big way, and as long as both remain in Leverkusen both should be strong producers.

MAY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Leverkusen coach Alonso opts for Palacios over Andrich in Europa League final against Atalanta

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has opted to start Argentina midfielder Exequiel Palacios over Robert Andrich in the Europa League final against Atalanta in Dublin

MAY 22 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nets penalty Palacios scored one goal to go with two shots (two on goal) in Sunday's 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Impact Palacios stepped up to take the lead from the penalty spot and made no mistake early in the second half. The midfielder has been excellent alongside Granit Xhaka in holding midfield, forming a fantastic pairing. Palacios is fit once more and should continue to split minutes in the starting XI with Robert Andrich.

MAY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Assist in Bundesliga return Palacios assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal) and one chance created in Sunday's 5-0 victory against Werder Bremen.

Impact Palacios sat out Bayer Leverkusen's close win at Union Berlin, so he made his return in a more comfortable setting with a substitute appearance Sunday. By helping Florian Wirtz log one of his goals for a hat-trick, Palacios also got what is now a second assist across his last three Bundesliga appearances. With the league championship now in Leverkusen's hands, Palacios will hope there will be a lot more leeway as the season progresses, so much so that he can return back to the team's starting XI.

APRIL 15 • ROTOWIRE

Assist in Bundesliga return Palacios assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal) and one chance created in Sunday's 5-0 victory against Werder Bremen.

Impact Palacios sat out Bayer Leverkusen's close win at Union Berlin, so he made his return in a more comfortable setting with a substitute appearance Sunday. By helping Florian Wirtz log one of his goals for a hat-trick, Palacios also got what is now a second assist across his last three Bundesliga appearances. With the league championship now in Leverkusen's hands, Palacios will hope there will be a lot more leeway as the season progresses, so much so that he can return back to the team's starting XI.

APRIL 15 • ROTOWIRE

Available from bench Palacios (thigh) is available from the bench for Saturday's match against Union Berlin.

Impact Palacios returns after missing last week's match due to a thigh injury. The midfielder had started two league matches in a row prior to injury and will compete with Robert Andrich for starts moving forward.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Traveling Saturday Palacios (thigh) is in the traveling squad for Saturday's trip to Union Berlin, Leverkusen announced.

Impact Palacios is back in the traveling squad for Saturday's clash after overcoming a thigh injury. It's unclear if he will be deemed fit enough to start straight away, though it's possible. If he's unable to start it would be Robert Andrich back in central midfield.

APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE

Training with team Palacios (thigh) took part in team training Monday ahead of Saturday's trip to Union Berlin.

Impact Palacios got back in full team training Monday as he works his way back into the first team. After missing out on either side of the international break it appears he could be back in the starting XI as soon as Saturday. Robert Andrich has seen more chances in the starting XI with Palacios injured.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Goes down with thigh issues Palacios will not be available for Argentina over the international break, as Leverkusen announced Monday that he had picked up a muscle injury in his thigh.

Impact Palacios will have to bow out for the time being, as he has been confirmed to have picked up a thigh issue following Sunday's match against Freiburg. Luckily for the midfielder, this could not have happened at a better time, as he will now have two weeks to recover and rest before the club's next match on March 30 against Hoffenheim due to the international break. He will now hope for a speedy recovery and to return by that contest, as he has played a decent role this season, having started in 18 of the 24 games he has been selected for this campaign.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Provides rare assist Palacios had an assist while taking two off target shots, creating three chances and making three tackles (winning two) during Sunday's 2-0 win over Wolfsburg.

Impact Palacios set up Florian Wirtz in the 86th minute assisting Leverkusen's second goal while leading the team with three tackles. The assist was the midfielder's first since September and his first goal involvement since January as he's started back-to-back matches after overcoming a thigh injury.

MARCH 10 • ROTOWIRE

Will return to squad Palacios (thigh) has been training with the team and will be ab option for Sunday's trip to FC Koln, per manager Xabi Alonso. "Exequiel Palacios is in the squad for #Derby . He wi...

Impact Palacios could be in line for a spot in the lineup Sunday after missing the last five matches with a thigh injury. He had previously started the last nine games played, logging in a goal with 30 tackles and 12 interceptions in that span, which puts him at an average of about 2.7 tackles per contest.

MARCH 1 • ROTOWIRE

Not ready for weekend Palacios (thigh) begun training with the ball Wednesday and Thursday, "but it's not enough for tomorrow", said manager Xabi Alonso.

Impact Palacios still needs a little more time to recover from his thigh injury that will see him miss his fifth match in a row. Robert Andrich should continue to start in the midfield alongside Granit Xhaka against Mainz.

FEBRUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Trains with ball Palacios (thigh) was spotted training with a ball ahead of Friday's contest against Mainz.

Impact Palacios' return to individual training is a bright sight for the club, but they will still most likely be without the player for another match. With only two days until their next contest, he will have to make a lot of improvements to get on the team sheet, having yet to even train with the team. If he is selected for the match, he will probably only end up on the bench, but that will even be a long shot, with a return next Sunday against Koln much more likely.

FEBRUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Still needs more time Palacios (thigh) is "on the right track" of recovery, but will not be an option for Saturday's match versus Bayern Munich, per manager Xabi Alonso.

Impact Palacios still needs a little more time to recover as he is set to miss his third match in a row with a thigh injury. The midfield line shouldn't change much for the last game, with Granit Xhaka and Robert Andrich expected to line up together in the center of the field for the clash with Bayern Munich.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Set for sideline spell Palacios (thigh) will miss a couple weeks with a thigh injury, Leverkusen announced.

Impact Palacios is set for a spell on the sideline after picking up a thigh injury against Leipzig on Saturday. The midfielder will likely be replaced by Robert Andrich though it's possible Alejandro Grimaldo could slot into central midfield alongside Granit Xhaka as well.

JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up thigh injury Palacios was forced off in the second half of Saturday's 3-2 win over Leipzig with a thigh injury.

Impact Palacios left the match in the final stages, being replaced by Robert Andrich. More information about the extent of Palacios' injury should be available in the buildup to next week's match against Gladbach.

JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Exequiel Palacios scores dramatic winner to keep Bayer Leverkusen unbeaten

Bayer Leverkusen stayed unbeaten at the top of the Bundesliga on Saturday, courtesy of Exequiel Palacios' stoppage-time goal.

JANUARY 13

Nets late game winner Palacios scored a goal while taking four shots (one on goal) and creating three chances during Saturday's 1-0 win over Augsburg.

Impact Palacios found the back of the net four minutes into stoppage time while tying for the team-high with four shots in the match. The goal was Palacios' first goal involvement since September and potential a critical moment for Leverkusen in their run to the title.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Suspension served Palacios served a one-match ban and is now eligible for a Jan. 13 trip to Augsburg.

Impact Palacios was suspended against Bochum and is now an option to return. With Palacios available once more it will be Robert Andrich who returns to the bench more likely than not. Palacios made 15 appearances (14 starts) in the first half of the Bundesliga, scoring and assisting twice.

DECEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shown fifth yellow card Palacios was shown his fifth yellow card of the season during Sunday's 3-0 win over Frankfurt.

Impact Palacios was shown the card in the 12th minute and will be suspended for Leverkusen's final game before the winter break on Wednesday against Bochum. Robert Andrich is the likely man to replace Palacios in the starting XI.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Crucial role continues Palacios started and scored during Wednesday's 3-1 DFB Pokal win over Paderborn.

Impact Palacios has been one of the first names on the team sheet in the Bundesliga and that consistent role continued in the DFB Pokal. The midfielder has truly come into his own alongside Granit Xhaka and is producing brilliant performances across the board.

DECEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE