Xabi Alonso Turns to Youth as Bayer Leverkusen Faces Salzburg in Champions League

With six key players injured, Bayer Leverkusen aims for direct qualification to the next round despite personnel challenges.

Bayer Leverkusen will face RB Salzburg in the Champions League with six players sidelined due to injuries, including four offensive players.
Coach Xabi Alonso has called up three junior players—Francis Onyeka, Ben Hawighorst, and Artem Stepanov—to bolster the squad for the match.
The team has secured seven points from three group matches, positioning them among the top three German teams in the competition so far.
A victory against Salzburg would strengthen Bayer's chances of securing direct qualification to the next round of the Champions League.
RB Salzburg, with only three points in the group stage, currently faces elimination from the tournament.