Bayer Leverkusen and Spara Praha will face off in their final UEFA Champions League first phase ties on Wednesday.
Bayer Leverkusen are set to welcome Sparta Praha to the BayArena on Wednesday, with their sights firmly set on securing automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16.
Xabi Alonso’s men currently sit eighth in the league phase standings with 13 points, narrowly holding onto the final automatic spot. However, their position is precarious, as they are tied on points with five other teams just below them. Meanwhile, Sparta Prague are 29th in the table with four points and have already been eliminated from the competition.
Leverkusen come into this crucial fixture after an unexpected setback against Atletico Madrid, where they suffered a 2-1 defeat despite playing with a numerical advantage for most of the game. That loss was their first in 13 matches, breaking an impressive streak of 11 consecutive wins. Their recent domestic performance also left some questions, as they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with RB Leipzig, showing vulnerabilities in their defense.
Nevertheless, Leverkusen’s attacking form remains a significant strength. They have netted 17 goals in their last seven matches across all competitions and scored six goals in the two Champions League fixtures preceding their loss to Atletico Madrid. Their home form is particularly dominant, with an unbeaten streak of 13 games at the BayArena, including seven wins in their last seven outings.
On the other hand, Sparta Prague’s Champions League campaign has been disappointing after a promising start. Following a 3-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg and a 1-1 draw with Stuttgart, the Czech side have suffered five consecutive defeats in the competition. Their defensive frailties have been exposed, with the away team conceding four or more goals in three of those games, including two heavy away losses with a cumulative 9-2 scoreline.
Domestically, Sparta are third in the Czech Liga but are far from challenging the league leaders, sitting 13 points behind Slavia Prague. Manager Lars Friis will hope for a positive end to their European journey, but his side’s current form and struggles away from home suggest a challenging night in Germany. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen will be without defender Piero Hincapie, who is suspended following his red card against Atletico Madrid. Additionally, centre-back Jeanuel Belocian has been ruled out until September due to injury, meaning manager Xabi Alonso will likely opt for a back four consisting of Alejandro Grimaldo, Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah, and Nordi Mukiele.
The hosts are also missing forwards Amine Adli and Martin Terrier, who are unavailable for selection. This creates an opportunity for Patrik Schick to lead the attack, supported by an attacking trio of Nathan Tella, Florian Wirtz, and Jeremie Frimpong, who is likely to play in an advanced role on the right flank.
In midfield, Granit Xhaka is a guaranteed starter, and he could be joined by Exequiel Palacios, guarding the back four from opposition attacks.
Leverkusen are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Matej Kovar will start in goal, protected by a defensive line of Nordi Mukiele at right-back, Jonathan Tah and Edmond Tapsoba as the central defenders, and Alejandro Grimaldo on the left.
In midfield, Granit Xhaka and Exequiel Palacios will form a double pivot, offering both defensive solidity and creative distribution. The attacking trio behind the striker will feature Jeremie Frimpong on the right, Florian Wirtz as the central playmaker, and Nathan Tella on the left. Leading the line will be Patrik Schick, who will look to capitalise on service from the midfield and wide areas.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kovar; Mukiele, Tah, Tapsoba, Grimaldo; Xhaka, Palacios; Frimpong, Wirtz, Tella; Schick
Sparta Praha
Sparta Praha will be without their first-choice wing-backs Angelo Preciado and Imanol Garcia de Albeniz, the latter being sidelined until the next season due to a long-term injury. These absences will force coach Lars Friis to reshuffle his defensive setup, likely leading to Tomas Wiesner and Matej Rynes stepping in to cover the wide positions.
In central defence, a back three of Martin Vitik, Filip Panak, and Asger Sorensen is expected to provide the foundation at the back. Meanwhile, midfield responsibilities will fall on Lukas Sadilek, Kaan Kairinen, and Qazim Laci, who will need to anchor the team against Leverkusen’s dynamic attack. Up front, Victor Olatunji and Veljko Birmancevic are set to lead the line as the team’s attacking duo, aiming to break through a solid Leverkusen defence.
Sparta Praha are likely to employ a 3-5-2 formation to ensure defensive solidity while offering opportunities for counter-attacking play. Peter Vindahl will start in goal, supported by a three-man defensive line featuring Martin Vitik, Filip Panak, and Asger Sorensen.
On the flanks, Tomas Wiesner and Matej Rynes will take on the wing-back roles, tasked with both defensive coverage and providing width in attack. The midfield trio will consist of Lukas Sadilek as a holding midfielder, with Kaan Kairinen and Qazim Laci adding creativity and work rate.
In attack, Victor Olatunji and Veljko Birmancevic will form a strike partnership, aiming to capitalize on opportunities created by their midfield and wing-backs.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Jensen; Vitik, Panak, Sorensen; Wiesner, Sadilek, Kairinen, Laci, Rynes; Olatunji, Birmancevic
Key Stats
- The only previous meetings between Bayer Leverkusen and Sparta Praha in European competition came during the 2007-08 UEFA Cup group stage, with Bayer Leverkusen winning 1-0 at BayArena.
- Sparta Prague’s only previous win away to German opposition in European competition came against SV Werder Bremen in the 1992/93 Cup Winners’ Cup. Since then, they have gone six matches without a win against German teams, with a record of four draws and two losses.
- Bayer Leverkusen have won their last three home UEFA Champions League matches without conceding a single goal. They have never previously won four in a row on home soil in the competition, making their current streak their fourth sequence of three consecutive wins.
- Sparta Prague are winless in their last 15 away UEFA Champions League matches (three draws, 12 losses), conceding 38 goals in this time. Their last away win in the competition was a 1-0 victory over FC Porto back in December 2001.
- Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 12 home major European matches (nine wins, three draws), marking their best-ever home unbeaten run in European competition. They are looking to keep four consecutive home clean sheets in the same season for the first time since the 1987/88 UEFA Cup.
Player to Watch
Florian Wirtz
The 21-year-old German playmaker is renowned for his exceptional vision, technical skill, and ability to unlock even the most resolute defences. Wirtz has been directly involved in a number of Leverkusen’s goals this season, demonstrating his knack for both scoring and creating chances.
Against Sparta Prague, Wirtz’s creativity will be pivotal as Bayer look to secure automatic qualification to the Champions League round of 16. Operating as the central figure in Leverkusen’s attack, he thrives in tight spaces, often combining with teammates like Jeremie Frimpong and Patrik Schick to devastating effect. His intelligence and ability to find gaps between the lines could prove decisive against a Sparta side that has struggled defensively in this competition.
With Sparta likely to adopt a defensive approach, Wirtz’s ability to dictate the tempo and break down organised defences will be crucial. Fans and scouts alike will have their eyes on the young German star, who continues to prove why he is one of the brightest talents in European football. Expect Wirtz to be the creative heartbeat of Leverkusen and possibly the match-winner.
Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 Sparta Praha
Bayer Leverkusen’s firepower and home advantage should be too much for Sparta Praha, especially given the visitors’ poor defensive record in the competition. Expect the Bundesliga champions to dominate proceedings and secure the win they need to progress automatically. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Xabi Alonso and his charges.
