Bayer Leverkusen host Italian giants Milan in their first Champions League game at the BayArena since the 2022/23 season. Last season’s Europa League finalists – losing to Atalanta – will be hoping to give a good account of themselves in this season’s newly revamped competition.
Die Werkself brushed aside Feyenoord in their first game in this season’s competition, scoring four first-half goals with Florian Wirtz scoring a brace on his Champions League debut. The 21-year-old is in magnificent form this season with seven goal contributions (six goals and one assist) in six games in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Wirtz will be central to unlocking Milan’s defence. The Italian side – coached by Paulo Fonseca – come into this game following a 3-0 win against Lecce, and also boast a 2-1 derby win against Inter in which local boy Matteo Gabbia scored an 89th minute winner.
Xabi Alonso has fond memories against Milan
Appointed as head coach in 2022, this is Alonso’s first managerial job in top flight football, and it’s safe to say it’s got off to a good start. After securing European football, Bayer went the entire domestic season unbeaten last campaign and went unbeaten in the Europa League until they lost to Atalanta in the final in Dublin.
But an esteemed player, Alonso has fond memories of playing against Milan. The Spaniard was key in Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League win against Carlo Ancelotti’s Milan – but also featured in their final defeat two years later in Athens.
Alonso has warned his players of a difficult game against Milan.
Bayer Leverkusen team news
Coming into the game, Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen squad has a clean bill of health. With a full strength squad available, the Spaniard has plenty of options to keep things interesting. It’s possible that Bayer will field the same team that started against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga Topspiel, but Aleix Garcia could well come in for Robert Andrich should Alonso choose to play more offensive.
Bayer Leverkusen Predicted XI
Lukas Hradecky – Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah, Piero Hincapié – Jeremie Frimpong, Robert Andrich, Granit Xhaka, Alex Grimaldo – Martin Terrier, Florian Wirtz – Victor Boniface
