Bundesliga 2024-2025: Holstein Kiel-Bayer Leverkusen, likely lineups

Holstein Kiel-Bayer Leverkusen, the likely lineups

The Holstein Stadium in Kiel is preparing to experience a real tailspin: on Saturday, in fact, last-place Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga hosts the league’s second-strongest side, defending champions Bayer Leverkusen. Holstein Kiel comes from a 3-1 loss to Frankfurt and has had two draws and three defeats in its last five games, showing difficulties in both offense and defense. Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, è returned from a 0-0 draw with Bayern Munich, a match they dominated but without getting a goal. Despite the Bavarians’ lead in the standings (+8), Xabi Alonso’s team continues to believe in the title, but cannot afford to lose any more points.

Holstein Kiel will take the field with a 3-5-2, with Weiner in goal and a three-man defense consisting of Becker, Zec and Komenda. In midfield, Rosenboom, Gigovic, Remberg, Holtby and Javorcek will alternate between interdiction and construction, while Machino and Harres will be the forwards. Unavailable Bernhardsson, Erras, Kleine-Bekel, Johansson and Skrzybski.

Bayer Leverkusen will instead line up with a 3-4-2-1, with Hradecky in goal and a three-man defense consisting of Mukiele, Hermoso and Tah. In the midfield, Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich and Grimaldo will manage the game, while Tella and Wirtz will support the lone striker, Boniface. Terrier and Belocian are unavailable.

Probable lineups

Holstein Kiel (3-5-2): Weiner; Becker, Zec, Komenda; Rosenboom, Gigovic, Remberg, Holtby, Javorcek; Machino, Harres. All. Rapp.

Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Mukiele, Hermoso, Tah; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Tella, Wirtz; Boniface. All. Xabi Alonso.