Bundesliga team performance: Leverkusen look to build on successful season, Schick to challenge for top scorer crown, Hložek to fight for place

Bayer Leverkusen had a great season. They finished third, reached the Champions League and would like to be even higher in the upcoming season. It has managed to keep its main stars, plus it has made interesting reinforcements. In addition to Patrik Schick, we will also see Adam Hložek in the team. How successful will the traditional team be in the new season?

Implementation team

Leverkusen had a successful season and there was no reason for changes in the implementation team. Coach Gerardo Seoane has shown that he can work with a team that is well put together and meet expectations.

His style of play suits Bayer perfectly. The traditional club has thus ranked among the best attacking teams in the Bundesliga, as well as ranking very high in terms of the attractiveness of the game. But the ambitions are even a little higher. Leverkusen would like to finally win something and Seoane should be the one to do it.

Goalkeeper

The number one in Leverkusen’s goal needs no long discussion. Traditionally, it will be Lukas Hradecky. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the whole Bundesliga, besides being the captain of Bayer and with his leadership skills and qualities he has a great influence on the team.

There is always another quality goalkeeper in the form of Andrey Lunev as a substitute. He played several games last season and never disappointed.

Defence

There are almost no question marks when it comes to the composition of the defensive four. On the right, the extremely fast Jeremy Frimpong will hold his place, the centre of the defence will be mostly made up of Jonathan Tah and Edmond Tapsoba, and Mitchel Bakker will round out the left side.

As far as the edges of the defence are concerned, a possible long-term injury to one of the aforementioned backs could trouble Leverkusen. They are not sufficiently duplicated in terms of quality. At stopper, however, it’s a different story with youngsters Odilon Kossounou and Piero Hincapié always ready for action.

Backup

There are already a few question marks in the midfield. In fact, Seoane has the midfield and attacking line well covered. He can change the line-up practically every game and the quality of the team never suffers.

In the middle of the midfield, we can expect Kerem Demirbay and Charles Aránguiz most often, but we will definitely see Robert Andrich in the lineup often as well.

It’s worth noting that Leverkusen’s play is very variable from midfield to attack. The formation changes frequently and with it the style of play. Sometimes Bayer play without any central midfielders, when winger Moussa Diaby can easily form an attacking duo with Patrik Schick or someone else.

Attack

Moussa Diaby, Florian Wirtz and Amine Adli can be expected to make up the back three. However, Wirtz is injured and will be out for a while. This is a thrown glove for Adam Hložek, who could take his place temporarily.

Otherwise, Hložek can be expected to compete with Adli during the season. He is not sure of his place compared to Diaby and Wirtz.

As it has been mentioned several times, Leverkusen often change the formation and it is possible that Hložek could form an attacking duo with Schick or Diaby in some games, or vice versa, with either Hložek or Wirtz playing under two strikers. In short, there are several possibilities.

But most often we will see a 4-2-3-1 formation in practice. Patrik Schick will have a solid place at the top and will be vying for the goal scoring crown. Hložek certainly doesn’t have to worry about space. He won’t be a key player in his first season, but he will undoubtedly get his time.

Ideal lineup::

Hradecky
Frimpong – Tapsoba – Tah – Bakker
Demirbay – Aránguiz
Diaby – Wirtz – Adli/Hložek
Schick

Ranking tip:: 3rd place

Source: Bayer Leverkusen