Xabi Alonso has plenty of options to keep things interesting, including a full strength squad, when his unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen side face AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico tonight.
Against Daniele de Rossi’s 4-3-3, Kicker suggested that Alonso may opt for a four-man defence but in all likelihood, it’s difficult to imagine a switch from Leverkusen’s usual 3-4-3. Defensively, one of Odilon Kossounou or Josip Stanisic should start in a back three alongside Jonathan Tah and Edmond Tapsoba, with Piero Hincapié also an option for the left side.
Granit Xhaka comes into this game fully rested after missing Bayer’s 2-2 draw against Stuttgart at the weekend due to suspension. Florian Wirtz, Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface all featured on Saturday, but off the bench, and so the trio could well start against Roma tonight.
With a 3-4-3, Alonso also has plenty of options off the bench with Robert Andrich, Jonas Hofmann and Patrik Schick.
Predicted Bayer Leverkusen XI vs AS Roma
Matěj Kovář – Josip Stanisic, Jonathan Tah, Edmond Tapsoba – Nathan Tella, Exequiel Palacios, Granit Xhaka, Alejandro Grimaldo – Florian Wirtz, Amine Adli – Patrik Schick.
