The latest edition of the UEFA Champions League has incorporated some intriguing changes. Not only are there more teams in the competition, there is no group stage, and Thursday night matches are a thing now. The action on Thursday will begin at De Kuip, where Feyenoord and Bayer Leverkusen will lock horns.
Feyenoord qualified for the UEFA Champions League by finishing second in the Eredivisie last season. However, the Dutch giants have been slow off the blocks in the post-Arne Slot era, winning only one of their first four league games thus far while languishing in seventh on the table. However, they have won the Johan Cruijff Schaal, beating PSV Eindhoven on penalties.
As for Bayer Leverkusen, they reached the UEFA Champions League by winning the 2023/24 Bundesliga title. Die Werkself nearly went the entire season unbeaten, lifting the league title and the DFB Pokal. However, the German giants have not been at their best in the early days of the 2024/25 campaign, already losing in the Bundesliga. However, Xabi Alonso’s men have won the DFL Supercup.
Feyenoord and Bayer Leverkusen have only locked horns twice previously, with the latter winning 3-2 on aggregate in the Round of 16 of the 1987/88 UEFA Cup. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Feyenoord
Brian Priske has a pressing injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday, the Feyenoord manager will be bereft of the services of three first-team players.
Calvin Stengs is unavailable for the foreseeable future as he recovers from a knee injury. In addition, Quilindschy Hartman is recuperating from a knee issue, although he should return soon. Meanwhile, Hugo Bueno is closing in on returning to action, although Thursday’s game might come too soon for him.
Timon Wellenreuther should take his spot between the sticks, with Feyenoord lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday. The backline should feature Jordan Lotomba, Thomas Beelen, David Hancko, and Gijs Smal.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Quinten Timber and Gjivai Zechiel in the double pivot. Chris-Kevin Nadje should reprise the no. 10 role, with Luka Ivanusec and Igor Paixao lining up as the wide attackers. Finally, star striker Santiago Gimenez will lead the line for the home side against Bayer Leverkusen.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Wellenreuther; Lotomba, Beelen, Hancko, Smal; Timber, Zechiel; Ivanusec, Nadje, Paixao; Gimenez
Bayer Leverkusen
Unlike his counterpart in the Feyenoord dugout, Xabi Alonso does not have any issues to deal with ahead of the trip to De Kuip. The Bayer Leverkusen manager will have a full-strength squad on Thursday.
Last season, Alonso preferred Lukas Hradecky in the Bundesliga while handing the goalkeeping duties to Matej Kovar in the UEFA Europa League and DFB Pokal. That pattern should continue this term, with Kovar taking his spot between the sticks.
Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah, and Piero Hincapie should form the central defensive unit. Meanwhile, Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo will start as the two wing-backs, with the duo providing the width in the final third and taking charge of the creativity from the flanks
As for the midfield unit, Robert Andrich should line up alongside Granit Xhaka in the double pivot. Florian Wirtz and Martin Terrier will likely take up the central spots in the final third, with Victor Boniface spearheading the Bayer Leverkusen attack this midweek.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Kovar; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Terrier, Wirtz; Boniface
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