Bundesliga Preview: FSV Mainz vs. Bayer Leverkusen
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/1-FSV-Mainz-05-c38166 will take on last season’s runners-up side Bayer Leverkusen to kick start their League campaign at the Coface Arena in Mainz. The match is also of significant importance for Leverkusen’s Andre Schurrle who will make his
debut for his new club against his former side.
FSV Mainz
Die Nullfunfer were definitely the surprise package last season as they ended in fifth place on the Bundesliga standings table and hence, qualified for the UEFA Europa League play-off round. Thomas Tuchel’s side accumulated 58
points in the previous campaign and secured an impressive 18 wins out of 34 matches played.
The club have been busy in this summer’s transfer window and have acquired some good players including http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Malik-Fathi-c23270 from Lillestrom and Spartak Moscow respectively.
Bayer Leverkusen
Werkself had a brilliant season last term as they finished second in the Bundesliga, seven points behind champions Borussia Dortmund. Leverkusen were sensational throughout the term and lost only six of the 34 matches played to
eventually secure an automatic UEFA Champions League spot.
The club’s manager Jupp Heynckes joined Bayer Munich this summer after he reached a pre-season agreement with the Bavarian giants which led the side to recruit Robin Dutt from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SC-Freiburg-c40462.
Team News
FSV Mainz
Anthony Ujah, who was signed as a replacement for Schurrle, will be starting the game upfront to partner Sami Allagui. Eugen Gopko will partner http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcel-c23507 Risse and Zoltan Stieber will play
their roles wide in midfield. The club has a full strength squad with no major injury problems.
Bayer Leverkusen
Werkself have only one major absentee in the form of Rene Adler, who has undergone a knee surgery and will be back in September or October. American goalkeeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-c10409 Yelldell is set to replace him between the sticks.
Andre Schurrle will be handed his first start for Leverkusen against his former club on the left wing. Eren Derdiyok will start as the lone striker upfront whereas http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Renato-Augusto-c30828 will play the role of the attacking midfielder.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Ballack-c25270 are expected to start in central midfield.
Players to watch
Sami Allagui
The Tunisian striker was in great form last season as he scored an impressive 10 goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances. The forward has a huge responsibility on his shoulders this season and he has the extra burden of scoring goals
as Schurrle has left. He will be looking to find the net and carry on from where his side had left last season in front of the home fans.
Andre Schurrle
The German international had a sensational season with his former employers and scored 15 times in 33 Bundesliga appearances along with five assists. The 20-year old will be looking to get his name on the score sheet and prove
Leverkusen his worth.
Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen are a very strong side with some quality players in their ranks. Furthermore, Werkself were recently knocked out from the DFB Pokal and will be looking to bounce back from the loss whereas Mainz have been very
impressive at home in the past season. Die Nullfunfer will surely go for the win to start their season on a high. The clash is expected to end in a
1-1 draw with Andre Schurrle set to score is first goal against his former club.
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