Bayer Leverkusen-Lipsia is a match of the first day of Bundesliga and is played on Saturday at 3:30 pm: TV, probable formations, predictions.
Last season Xabi Alonso achieved a minor masterpiece, taking Bayer Leverkusen from second-to-last to sixth in the standings in a matter of months, reaching the Europa League semifinals. Many wondered where Werkself would have ended up if the Basque coach had been drafted in from the start: last fall, in fact, the former Real and Bayern midfielder had taken over from the exonerated Gerardo Seoane.
Fact is that among the most closely watched teams in the 2023-24 Bundesliga that will open its doors this weekend is Bayer, which seems to have emerged strengthened from the market. Yes Xabi Alonso has lost the speedy Diaby, who was sold to Aston Villa in the Premier League, but he will be able to count on an element of international experience, former Arsenal man Xhaka, as well as two players who did very well last year: Spanish full-back Grimaudo, one of the staples of Schmidt’s Benfica and coveted by some of Europe’s most emblazoned clubs, and center forward Boniface, who has been showing off with Union Saint-Gilloise, now a big name in Belgian soccer. Leverkusen has already appeared in league form in recent friendlies, in which they beat Marseille and West Ham (1-2 and 4-0).
The BayArena will immediately be the scene of an intriguing head-to-head clash with Leipzig, who have started the season as well as they could.
Leipzig players cheer
The Roten Bullen last Saturday won the German Super Cup for the first time in their history, enriching the trophy cabinet of the club that was only born in 2009. It is a trophy with special significance, considering that Marco Rose’s men lifted it at the home of Bayern Munich, who have dominated German soccer for a decade now. Robotizing too was the result, with Leipzig overwhelming the Bavarians 3-0 with a hat-trick from a wild Dani Olmo. A sign that the numerous disposals (Gvardiol, Nkunku, Laimer, Szoboszlai) have not affected the competitiveness of the ever-ambitious red and whites.
The prediction
On the first day of the Bundesliga, two healthy teams face each other, who have not given the impression that they have weakened despite numerous disposals. One cannot, in any case, disregard Leipzig’s resounding performance at home to Bayern Munich, which will further energize the Roten Bullen: Marco Rose’s team should avoid defeat in a match in which both should score at least one goal.
Bayer Leverkusen-Leipzig likely lineups
- BAYER LEVERKUSEN (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Wirtz; Boniface.
- LIPSIA (4-2-3-1): Blaswich; Henrichs, Simakan, Orban, Raum; Schlager, Seiwald; Simons, Dani Olmo, Werner; Openda.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
