Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Bayer Leverkusen could line up for Wednesday’s Europa League final against Atalanta BC.
Still undefeated this season, Bayer Leverkusen can complete the second leg of a memorable treble by emerging victorious in Dublin this week, as they take on Atalanta BC for the right to be crowned Europa League champions.
Having already won the Bundesliga and gone 51 games without losing in all competitions, Die Werkself are now two wins away from an indelible place in history, and much-coveted coach Xabi Alonso should have a full squad available for Wednesday’s final.
Odilon Kossounou recently recovered from an ankle problem, while influential forward Florian Wirtz has been cautiously nursed back into the team following a thigh injury.
The latter appeared from the bench in Leverkusen’s weekend win over Augsburg, and he will now reclaim his place in the starting XI; however, the identity of who will join the 21-year-old up front remains to be seen.
Patrick Schick and Victor Boniface appear to be fighting it out for one place, but Xabi Alonso may use Wirtz or the versatile Jonas Hofmann as a ‘false nine’ instead.
After being rested on Saturday, both Granit Xhaka and Piero Hincapie are set to return in midfield and defence respectively: Xhaka could partner Robert Andrich in the engine room, flanked by attack-minded wing-backs Alex Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong.
Featuring behind a back three, ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Matej Kovar will replace Lukas Hradecky, having been favoured for the Europa League campaign so far.
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup: Kovar; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Wirtz; Schick
> Click here to see how Atalanta BC could line up for Wednesday’s Europa League final
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