Bundesliga 2024-2025: Bayer Leverkusen-Bochum, the likely lineups

After the break for national team activities, the Bundesliga also returns to the field, with the 27th-day advance between Bayer Leverkusen and Bochum scheduled at the BayArena on Friday at 8:30 p.m. It is a match that pits the tournament’s second-strongest side, struggling for an encore after last year’s title, against one of the teams fighting for salvation, which currently occupies the position that would force it into the inter-divisional playoff with the Zweite Liga’s third-place finishers at the end of the year.

Without Hermoso, Tapsoba, Tella and Wirtz, Xabi Alonso will have to make a virtue of necessity, relying on a 3-4-2-1 with Patrik Schick the main offensive reference, supported by Aleix Garcia and Amine Adli. Xhaka and Palacios confirmed in the midfield, in the three-man defense space for Mukiele, Tah and Hincapié. On the flanks Frimpong on the right and Grimaldo on the left.

Dieter Hecking, VFL coach, on the other hand, will have to do without Brazilian Bernardo and Japanese Miyoshi. A classic 3-5-2 is planned, with Masouras and Hofmann in attack, with Passlack on the right midfield lane and Wittek on the left. The defensive triptych will include the use of Oermann, Ordets and Medic.

Probable lineups

BAYER LEVERKUSEN (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Mukiele, Tah, Hincapié; Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo; Garcia, Adli; Schick. All. Alonso.

BOCHUM (3-5-2): Horn; Oermann, Ordets, Medic; Passlack, Bero, Sissoko, Krauss, Wittek; Hofmann, Masouras. All. Hecking.