After advancing: Leverkusen aim for early group victory
Bayer Leverkusen are now aiming to win their group ahead of time. A point in the penultimate group game at Swedish cup winners BK Häcken, who are still without points, on Thursday in Gothenburg (21:00/RTL+) would guarantee the Bundesliga leaders first place in the preliminary round. This would avoid the play-offs against a team relegated from the Champions League and secure them a place in the round of 16.
Coach Xabi Alonso will again rotate his squad, having made five or six changes to his Bundesliga squad in previous European Cup matches. Nevertheless, the 18th win in the 19th competitive match of the season should be achieved. The Swedes are actually already in the winter break. Their last game of the season took place on November 12. In Sweden, the season is played from April to November.
Bayer Leverkusen seeks an Europa League victory against BK Häcken on Thursday, aiming to secure first place in the group and bypass the play-offs. In their last competitive match of the season, BK Häcken, who are yet to earn points, faced winter break.
Source: www.dpa.com
