Rolfes demands: "Tighten up first place" in Sweden
There are no excuses for Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen in their penultimate Europa League group game at Swedish soccer cup winners BK Häcken, despite having secured qualification and an expected large rotation. "The direction is clear: win in Häcken and secure first place," said sporting director Simon Rolfes before departing for Sweden on Wednesday: "That's how we'll play and that's how I expect us to perform."
Although Bayer are certain of progressing ahead of the match between Leverkusen, who have only ever won, and Sweden, who have no points, on Thursday in Gothenburg (21:00/RTL+), winning the group has a special significance. This is because it saves them from having to play a relegated team from the Champions League and secures a direct ticket to the round of 16. A point would be enough for Leverkusen, who have won 17 of their 18 competitive matches so far this season.
Also traveling to Sweden will be striker Patrik Schick, who after two brief appearances following a ten-month injury layoff was recently forced to miss five competitive matches. "He's definitely involved and on the right track," said Rolfes: "Everything looked good in training." When asked whether he could even be considered for the starting eleven, the manager replied: "That will ultimately be up to Xabi (coach Xabi Alonso, ed.). We'll see how much playing time he gets."
Bayer Leverkusen, currently leading the charge in the Europa League group, aim to maintain their dominance against Swedish soccer cup winners BK Häcken. Despite already securing qualification, sporting director Simon Rolfes emphasized the importance of winning the game, stating, "The direction is clear: win in Häcken and secure first place."
In their quest for a direct ticket to the round of 16 and avoiding a potential matchup with a relegated team from the Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen's striker Patrik Schick is set to join the team in Sweden. Posting two brief appearances following a ten-month injury layoff, Schick has impressed Rolfes during training, leaving open the possibility of a potential starting position in the upcoming match.
Source: www.dpa.com
