Jonathan Tah expected to start for Bayer Leverkusen against VfB Stuttgart despite doubts over his future

Bild reports that Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah is expected to start for Bayer Leverkusen against VfB Stuttgart in the DFL Super Cup, despite doubts over his future. 

Leverkusen are likely to stick with the core team that helped them win the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal last season. In goal, it is unknown whether Lukas Hradecky will be start ahead of Matej Kovar as the latter was Leverkusen’s cup goalkeeper last season. 

In defence Tah will be flanked by Edmond Tapsoba and Odilon Kossounou, the trio were Leverkusen’s go-to defensive pairing last season. Piero Hincapie and Jeanuël Belocian have an outside chance. The defensive trio will be lined up alongside Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo some of the undisputed starters in Xabi Alonso’s starting 11. 

Summer signing Aleix Garcia is likely to partner Granit Xhaka in midfield. The 27-year-old has impressed in pre-season and will potentially bench Robert Andrich. 

Upfront, the only guaranteed starter is Florian Wirtz. The German international could be partnered with either Nathan Tella, Amine Adli, Jonas Hofmann or even new arrival Martin Terrier. Victor Boniface will likely lead the line for Leverkusen as he has featured prominently in training sessions. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan