Xabi Alonso is expected to make several changes to his Bayer Leverkusen team that suffered a 4-0 defeat against Liverpool in midweek. The Spaniard could make three or more alterations to his lineup when his side make the short journey to Bochum on Saturday.
Leverkusen were without Nordi Mukiele against Liverpool after the Frenchman suffered an injury against Stuttgart, and he won’t be available until after the international break meaning that Jeremie Frimpong will be tasked with playing at wing-back, with Nathan Tella, or Jonas Hofmann, playing in the half-space. Aleix Garcia played this role against Liverpool, but the Spaniard will likely find himself on the bench at the Ruhrstadion.
Elsewhere, Alonso is expected to name the same back three, but Matěj Kovář could be given the nod ahead of Lukas Hradecky in goal.
In attack, Victor Boniface struggled against Liverpool and could be given a rest heading into the international break meaning that Patrik Schick could be given just his second Bundesliga start of the season.
Predicted Bayer Leverkusen XI vs Bochum
Matěj Kovář – Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah, Piero Hincapié – Jeremie Frimpong, Exequiel Palacios, Granit Xhaka, Alex Grimaldo – Nathan Tella, Florian Wirtz – Patrik Shick
