Manuel Neuer scored again in FC Bayern Munich’s top Bundesliga match against Bayer Leverkusen. The captain recently missed the 5-0 win against SV Werder Bremen. Instead, coach Vincent Kompany believed in the expected formation, in which there were three changes compared to the match against Bremen. Apart from Neuer, Serge Gnabry and Raphaël Guerreiro join the team, while Kingsley Coman and Konrad Laimer remain absent.
According to his own statement, Neuer suffered a minor injury to his thigh during the 9-2 Champions League win against Dinamo Zagreb, last Tuesday. He left the field at half-time, after which Sven Ulreich came on. He also represented Neuer in the win at Bremen. “It was clear from the start that he would play again at the weekend if everything went normally,” Ulreich said on Sky shortly before kick-off.
Palacios on Bayer’s bench
Visiting coach Xabi Alonso relies on national player Robert Andrich in defensive midfield. Exequiel Palacios, considered a candidate for the starting Eleven, sits on the bench for now. After meniscus surgery, Palacios is ready to appear as a comedian. Last season he equalized with a penalty in a 2-2 draw in stoppage time.