The 29-year-old played for FC Basel for two years. During his time in Switzerland, Aleksandar Dragovic played five games in Bern with FCB. He was never on the losing side with four wins and one draw under his belt. “It can be a bit strange for the away team in the opening minutes. The ball moves very fast,” warned the experienced defender at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday evening. “But we can get used to the pitch tonight in the final training session. These new conditions could be an advantage with our style of play.”
Bayer 04 head coach Peter Bosz is also very familiar with artificial pitches. The 57-year-old coached the Dutch first division team Heracles Almelo from 2004 to 2006 and they also had an artificial pitch. “It won’t be a problem for us tomorrow,” Bosz added. He did suggest one or two players might not be in the starting eleven due to the possibility of injuries caused by the playing surface.”
One of those is the first choice keeper Lukas Hradecky. The Werkself number one recently suffered a problem with his heel and he had to to be substituted at half-time in the Bundesliga home game against FSV Mainz 05 (2-2). The Finn will again be replaced by Niklas Lomb as in the second half against Mainz. Bosz left the question unanswered of whether Hradecky will be available for Sunday’s game at FC Augsburg.
The Dutchman preferred to focus on the next opponents in the Europa League – and they are a force to be reckoned with. Young Boys won the Swiss league for past three years and last year lifted the domestic cup. And in the current campaign the team under head coach Gerardo Seoane are forging ahead in Switzerland. After 20 league games, the lead over second-placed Basel is already 16 points. “I’m particularly impressed by the consistency of the team,” Bosz declared.
Central defender Dragovic added in relation to the strengths of YB: “They have played a very physical game since Adi Hütter was in charge (2015 to 2018, ed.). In addition, they are incredibly quick in attack. They have some real live wires. But they always take risks. And we have to be ready for that.”
Match information:
Broadcasters: DAZN and Werks11 Radio
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)
With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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