Bayer Leverkusen
1. FC Cologne

Bundesliga Matchday 21: Team of the week

By
Moritz Baer
February 13, 2024
11:45
Müngersdorfer Stadion. By Adir Benyamini - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Müngersdorfer Stadion. By Adir Benyamini - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.

With Bundesliga matchday 21 having finished on Sunday evening, Futmo takes a look at a best XI of some of the best players including clubs like Bayer Leverkusen and Dortmund.

Goalkeeper

With a clean sheet which included four saves and four claims, Frederik Rønnow has more than deserved his position in this team and definitely saved his Union Berlin side from conceding and in doing so, earning them a valuable three points in their fight for survival.

Defenders

To begin the set of defenders, Köln's Max Finkgräfe has earnt himself another spot in this week's XI. With a wonder strike from a free-kick and a superb defensive performance, the nineteen-year-old has proved to be a relevation under Timo Schultz. With the Billy Goats one-nil up when he left the pitch, no blame can be put upon him for the side conceding late on.

Another solid defender this entire campaign, Jonathan Tah managed to neutralise a formidable Bayern Munich attack consisting of Leroy Sané and Harry Kane to just one shot on-target and in doing so, keeping a clean sheet. All of this considered, he is one of the first names to join this week's team sheet.

Jonathan Tah.
By Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79731396

Next, his defensive partner Josip Stanišić joins him in defence and despite Thomas Tuchel's criticisms of the player being able to play against his parent club, he was brilliant in a game in which he opened the scoring for Die Werkself.

Finishing off the defence this week, Ko Itakura played an important role in seeing out a clean sheet versus Darmstadt. With a stunning 89% pass accuracy and two aerial duels won, Itakura neutralised Darmstadt's attack.

Midfielders

Robert Andrich becomes the third Bayer Leverkusen player to be included within this week's best XI. With an 88% pass accuracy and twenty-nine years of experience, Andrich was able to maintain his composure to see out a tough battle against Bayern Munich.

Robert Andrich. By Pyaet - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=124557868.

The next and last midfielder, Enzo Millot had a stellar outing for Champions League bound VfB Stuttgart. An 88% pass accuracy and three tackles and a couple of dribbles to add to that meant that he was one of Stuttgart's standout players last weekend.

Attackers

To start off, Álex Grimaldo was superb and with a goal and a clean sheet he provided both attacking and defensive stability in a seasoned game for the Spanish wide player. Often bursting forward to join the attack and with his amazing finishing capability, he often sits as high up as a left winger would. Therefore, he has been placed in this position.

Joining him in attack, striking partners Niclas Füllkrug and Donyell Malen make a return to Futmo's XI of the week. With five goal contributions between them, they were able to see off an inconsitent but strong SC Freiburg side in a 3-0 domination in the Bundesliga.

Finally, Augsburg's Ermedin Demirović enters the lineup as the final striker with a goal and another strong performance which sees him continue his purple patch of form.

Starting XI

Best XI of Matchday 21 (Formation: 4-2-4)

Match Result

Bayer Leverkusen
:
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso. Photo: Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen vs Qarabağ Preview: Team News and Predicted Lineups

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.
Xabi Alonso. Photo: Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Xabi Alonso after Wolfsburg win: "Maybe we could have taken more risks"

Bayer Leverkusen won against the nine men of VfL Wolfsburg in the final game of the Bundesliga's matchday 25. Bayer 04 coach Xabi Alonso gave his thoughts after the game.
Odilon Kossounou. Photo: Vitalii Vitleo

Bayer Leverkusen vs VfL Wolfsburg Bundesliga Preview: Team News and Predicted Lineups

Bayer 04 face VfL Wolfsburg at the BayArena in the bid to extend Xabi Alonso's unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga and to remain clear of Bayern Munich in second.
Piero Hincapié. Photo: Vitalii Vitleo

Qarabağ vs Bayer Leverkusen Europa League preview: Predicted Lineups and Team News

Bayer Leverkusen travel to Azerbaijan to play against Qarabağ FK in the round of 16 of the Europa League. On Thursday, Bayer will look to continue their unbeaten streak.
Robert Andrich. Photo: Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Robert Andrich after Mainz win: "We didn't play well today"

Following a 2-1 win against Mainz 05, Bayer Leverkusen's Robert Andrich spoke about how it wasn't Die Werkself's finest victory.
Emre Can. By Sandro Halank, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Bundesliga Matchday 23: All Predicted Lineups

The predicted lineups from the Bundesliga games for matchday 23 including Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig, Bayer 04 vs Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund vs TSG Hoffenheim.