Bayer Leverkusen face Azerbaijani side Qarabağ FK in the second leg of the Europa League round of 16, with the hopes of their treble hanging on the result of this game.
Match Overview
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen managed to beat the ten men of VfL Wolfsburg last weekend 2-0 thanks to goals from Florian Wirtz and the young Englishman Nathan Tella.
This season, Xabi Alonso's side have scored over 100 goals in all competitions. For Alonso, his full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo have had thirty-three goal contributions combined in the Bundesliga this campaign.
Victor Boniface is Bayer's top scorer in the Europa League this season with four goals. He is however unavailable due to injury.
Bayer 04 are currently on a record-breaking run of 36 games unbeaten in all competitions.
Ahead of the second leg tie in the Europa League, Bayer coach Xabi Alonso said: "The first leg last week was very tough for us. Qarabağ will fight again tomorrow, and we have to do the same till the end."
Qarabağ FK
Last time against Bayer 04, Qarabağ went 2-0 up in the first half against an unbeaten Bayer side. However, substitutes Patrik Schick and Florian Wirtz sacrificed a draw in the second half as they netted two between themselves.
Juninho, who scored in the home leg, has scored fifteen goals in the Azerbaijan Premier League this season and has also bagged five in the Europa League in the 2023-24 season.
In the league, Qarabağ have a twenty-four point lead at the top of the table this season. Alongside this, three of the top five goalscorers in the Azerbaijan Premier League are from this Qarabağ side.
In drawing with Bayer 04, Qarabağ became one of only five sides this campaign to take something from a game against Alonso's side.
Team News
Bayer Leverkusen
Victor Boniface is still out with the groin injury that sees him unavailable until April. Arthur is also missing with thigh problems. Noah Mbamba is ineligible to play in the Europa League so won't be in the squad.
Qarabağ
At the moment, there are no doubts or injuries in the Qarabağ squad.
Predicted Lineups
Bayer Leverkusen:
Kovář; Stanišić, Tah (c), Tapsoba; Tella, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Hložek, Wirtz; Adli
Qarabağ:
Lunyov; Vešović, Mustafazada, Hüseynov (c), Jafarguliyev; Romão, Janković; L. Andrade, Benzia, Zoubir; Juninho
Match Result
Three finals left: Can Bayer Leverkusen go unbeaten the entire season?
Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga title, ridding all "Neverkusen" allegations
Bayer Leverkusen vs West Ham: Head to Head, Form, Team News and Lineups
Jonas Hofmann: "It feels like we were just waiting for one to fly in" in Kicker interview post-Hoffenheim
Xabi Alonso after Hoffenheim win: "I had hope until the very end"
