Despite all the injury problems, champions Bayer Leverkusen’s impressive winning streak strengthens their confidence in direct qualification for the Champions League round of 16. “We can’t lose, that’s the first goal. But we will do everything we can to come back with three points,” said midfielder Granit Xhaka before the seventh game of the league phase at Atlético Madrid on Tuesday (9 p.m./DAZN).
With eleven competitive game wins in a row, Leverkusen have achieved an excellent position not only in the championship, but also in the premier class. 13 points from six games currently mean fourth place in the field of 36 teams, with the best eight qualifying directly. Otherwise, the playoffs will take place for the teams in places nine to 24. Bayer would like to save these two games in February.
Six points would be enough
Xhaka’s calculation is simple. “We don’t know how many points you need for the first eight places. With six points we would definitely be in,” said the Swiss. However, second place in the Spanish league is already a house number. Coach Diego Simeone’s team surprisingly lost 1-0 to CD Leganés at the weekend, but before that they had a streak of 15 wins in a row and are only two points behind city rivals Real Madrid in the table.
“Their squad is perhaps one of the best they have had in the last decade. I expect a top, top game,” said Bayer coach Xabi Alonso. The balance between the two teams is even in ten European Cup games so far, but the Bayer crew has never been able to win in Madrid. In addition, the Spaniards are only one point behind Bayer and could overtake them with a win. “Mentality plays against mentality and quality against quality,” said Xhaka.
Bad luck with injuries continues
However, the injury concerns in Leverkusen have increased. After Jeanuel Belocian suffered a torn cruciate ligament, Martin Terrier is out for the rest of the season with a torn Achilles tendon. The Frenchman only moved to the Rhinelanders at the start of the season. “This is a hard blow for Martin and also for us as a club. But we will support him wherever we can,” said Bayer’s Managing Director Sport Simon Rolfes.
-Boniface is back in the squad.
Photo: Carmen Jaspersen
Amine Adli is also still missing. After all, Victor Boniface took part in the final training session in Leverkusen after his thigh injury and will be in the squad for the game in Madrid. Head coach Alonso had to integrate four young players into training on Monday, one of whom, Artem Stepanov, has now extended his contract. Nevertheless, Rolfes will have to look for reinforcements for the second half of the season if he continues to take part in three competitions.
