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Champions League scouting report: Bayer Leverkusen can cause Manchester United problems on the break

Bayer Leverkusen return to the Champions League after a seven-year hiatus from the tournament - and they’ve had good success in their time at the top table of German football.

One of three exceptions to the ‘50+1’ ownership rule and bankrolled by Pharmaceutical company BAYER, Leverkusen have, to an extent, bought long-term success. The company’s involvement in the club for more than two decades is the reason for the DFB and DFL’s satisfaction with them meeting licensing requirements.

Some would tag them a “plastic club” but many clubs have been formed as sporting entities for company employees. It’s not uncommon in Germany, nor further afield - see FC Ingolstadt (AUDI), Sochaux (Renault), Wolfsburg (Volkswagen) and PSV Eindhoven (Philips).

Leverkusen won the UEFA Cup in 1988 – their only continental honour – but most will remember them for their outstanding achievement in 2002 of reaching the UEFA Champions League final at Hampden. 

They beat the Red Devils in the knockout stages that year with a side that included household names like Lucio and Dimitar Berbatov.

Many will look back at Klaus Toppmoller’s reign as a nearly team, consigned to dissppointment when Bayern Munich’s financial power allowed them to to persuade Lucio and Ze Roberto to move clubs.

Strengths

Bayer Leverkusen's strategy is firmly based around counter-attacking - and they're pretty good at it. The solid midfield three, which coach Sami Hyypia often changes, will provide a very tight, compact base, while the three-man attack of Stefan Kiessling, Son Heung-Min and Sidney Sam is very dangerous.

Weaknesses

The notable weakness this season has been Leverkusen's inability to change matches from the bench. The jury is still out on Eren Derdiyok's return as back-up striker, but he certainly has the ability to score great goals.

The left flank is perhaps the weakest area of the team. Given Son's habit of cutting inside, the onus is on Sebastian Boenisch to offer an outlet on the outside. The Polish defender is fairly limited in that respect, especially in comparison to the departed Michal Kadlec.

Manager

Sami Hyppia needs little introduction. The Finnish coach took charge, officially, in the summer after completing his UEFA A licence in the Spring. But he also played a major role last year, even if Sascha Lewandowski, now U19 trainer, was officially the main man.

The players tend to talk of Hyypia has an experienced head. His man-management skills are yet to be really tested, but he's made very few changes to the squad from last year.

Star player

Italian U21 full-back Guilo Donati is a massive player for Leverkusen. He has settled into the void left by Dani Carvajal (now at Real Madrid) and looks like a real prospect. From a defensive point of view, Donati will be called on to prevent United’s forwards having an effect on the game.

Of course, there are special mentions for Sam, Son and Kiessling in attack.

Form

Leverkusen are coming off the back of a 3-1 win over ten-man Wolfsburg and have managed four wins from five games this season – the defeat coming at Schalke before the international break. Bayer have scored 11 goals but have only managed one clean sheet.

Predicted line-up

(4-3-3) Leno; Donati, Spahic, Toprak, Boenisch; Reinartz (Rolfes), Castro, Bender; Sam, Kiessling, Son.

Score prediction

Leverkusen to sneak a 2-1 win.

source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/champions-league-scouting-report-bayer-2277876