Getting ahead in the Europa League had taken its toll. After 120 grueling minutes plus penalties a few days earlier in Monaco, Bayer coach Xabi Alonso had to weigh up carefully which professionals he should field from the start for his Leverkusen away side in Freiburg. In the end, the Spaniard made a total of four changes. Among others, Florian Wirtz initially took a seat on the bench. “We definitely have good options to make changes in the second half,” said the 41-year-old shortly before kick-off.
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