In the week when the national cups take center stage, it’s also Bayer Leverkusen’s turn to take the field as German Cup holders. The Aspirins have automatically become the big favorites for an encore in the second-largest domestic competition after eliminating Bayern Munich in the previous round in what was a real clash of German soccer giants.
Last December, taking advantage of the fact that the Bavarians had been left with 10 men due to the expulsion after 17 minutes of goalkeeper Neuer, Leverkusen managed to violate the Allianz Arena thanks to a goal by Tella (0-1), earning a pass to the quarterfinals at the expense of their great title rivals. In the Bundesliga, in fact, it is now a two-way race for the Schale, with Bayern Munich currently able to sleep soundly by virtue of their 6-point lead over Xabi Alonso’s men.
Köln is first in the Zweite Liga
Bayer Leverkusen, looking forward to the direct clash next February 15 (the two teams will face each other at the BayArena) is aware that no further missteps are allowed if the goal is to stay in the race until the end, taking into account that the Bavarians between now and May will make few mistakes. Last Sunday, meanwhile, the defending German champions returned to winning ways by beating Hoffenheim 3-1: Grimaldo’s expulsion midway through the second half did not prevent the Aspirins, dragged by the usual Schick, from taking the three points.
In the cup Leverkusen will face Cologne, relegated to the Zweite Liga last year. The Billy Goats in the cadet league are proving to be the strongest – after twenty days they are first in the standings – although a tough battle looms for direct promotion (as many as four teams are packed within two points). The men led by Austrian Gerhard Struber come from two consecutive victories (Elversberg and Braunschweig) with which they immediately put behind them the defeat to Hamburg, their main rival for direct promotion.
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The Prediction
Despite Xabi Alonso’s rotations, qualification should not be in question for Leverkusen: the Aspirins are likely to win by at least two goals and keep their goal unbeaten as in the last two league fixtures.
Bayer Leverkusen-Cologne likely lineups.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN (4-2-3-1): Kovar; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, G. Xhaka, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Wirtz; Schick.
COLONIA (3-4-1-2): Schwäbe; Hübers, Schmied, Heintz; Gazibegovic, Martel, Ljubicic, Pacarada; Waldschmidt; Downs, Maina.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-0