Leverkusen wary of Stuttgart despite home form
Carles Martinez is keen to ensure Bayer Leverkusen continues to stay at the top of its game at BayArena, with Stuttgart the next visitor in the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen has won all of its home games across all competitions this season, with that form helping it to sit fourth on the Bundesliga table after seven matches.
It was on a five-game unbeaten streak before losing 3-0 to Hoffenheim last weekend, but heads into a clash with Stuttgart on the back of a morale-boosting DFB-Pokal victory.
Having trailed 2-0 to second-tier Nurnberg in the second round in midweek, Leverkusen roared back to earn a 5-2 win thanks to a stunning second-half performance at home.
"The mood is good. Our main priority now is to recharge our batteries. With such a tight fixture list, every hour counts," Martinez said.
"The bond between the team and the fans is crucial. Together, we are a strong unit. That helps us in every match, especially at home.
"The fans give us a massive boost, even when we're behind, as was the case against Nurnberg. They've been able to enjoy themselves at the BayArena so far.
"We want to carry on in exactly the same way against Stuttgart."
Stuttgart has made a stuttering start to the campaign and is sitting in 16th with only two wins to its name so far this season.
It has never lost three consecutive Bundesliga matches under coach Sebastian Hoeness. This is the seventh time it has lost two in a row under him, but a victory always came next on each previous occasion.
Nevertheless, Martinez remains wary of Stuttgart as an opponent despite its recent struggles.
"We're focusing on ourselves and on the things we need to do to win," he added.
"Stuttgart are still a good side; they're strong on the ball. The most important thing is our own performance."
