Bayer 04 Leverkusen have to do without Robert Andrich for the Europa League match at Celtic Glasgow, as feared. The six-pointer will have to take a very long mandatory break.
At 11am the plane took off with the Werkself to Glasgow. Not on board was Robert Andrich, who has to skip the Europa League trip due to an infection. The defensive midfielder was already feared to be out of training this week because he was already ill.
For Andrich, this is a bitter setback: the 27-year-old newcomer loses the opportunity to gain match practice and stay in rhythm despite his three-game suspension in the Bundesliga. He will not play in a competitive match again until 21 October at the earliest, when Bayer 04 take on Real Betis in the Europa League, after a break of almost five weeks.
Neutgens in as third goalkeeper
Maxilian Neutgens, who otherwise plays for Leverkusen’s U19s but has been training regularly with the professionals for more than half a year, has boarded the plane as the third goalkeeper. The 17-year-old has replaced Niklas Lomb in the squad, who has suffered a bony tear of the extensor tendon on the middle finger of his left hand.
Kick-off at Celtic Park is at 9pm on Thursday (LIVE! on kicker). “The atmosphere in Scotland is always special. We are looking forward to it and I think we will give everything tomorrow. Our focus is clear: we want to get into the knockout round and take another step towards that tomorrow,” said sporting director Simon Rolfes shortly before departure.