Bayer Leverkusen has submitted its squad for the Europa League group stage, omitting four established players from the list. Head coach Carles Martínez had to make tough decisions to meet the registration limits.
The German club begins its European campaign on September 16 at 21:00 with a home match against Slovenian champions NK Celje. Martínez's squad comprises 29 players, but the absence of Victor Boniface, Jonas Hofmann, Tim Oermann, and Kennet Eichhorn is particularly notable. These calls come at a time when Leverkusen is still finding its feet in the Bundesliga. After the first matchday, the club sits in 13th place with zero points, following a 2-3 defeat to VfB Stuttgart. This leaves them three points behind league leaders Bayern München.
Victor Boniface was not selected for the European squad due to a fitness deficit. The 25-year-old striker could not build the required conditioning during pre-season to be ready for the upcoming fixture congestion. Also omitted is 34-year-old attacker Jonas Hofmann. His prospects within the team diminished significantly following the summer signing of Moussa Diaby. In defence, young Tim Oermann lost out due to strong competition. The longest absence will likely be that of talent Kennet Eichhorn. The 17-year-old midfielder is suffering from a metabolic disorder and is out indefinitely. The current list of injured and ill players is available on our injuries page.
The defence is the most populated area with a total of 13 players. This includes veterans like Lucas Vázquez (35) and Edmond Tapsoba (26) as well as new signings like Jarell Quansah (23) and Guéla Doué (23). In midfield, experienced campaigner Robert Andrich makes a return. The 31-year-old became available for European competition again after the sale of Exequiel Palacios. He is joined by seven other midfielders, including Equi Fernández and Malik Tillman. Up front, Leverkusen relies on six attackers, led by Patrik Schick and the returning Moussa Diaby. The goalkeeper position is shared by Mark Flekken, Janis Blaswich, and Niklas Lomb.
The 42-year-old manager explained his selection was based on a comprehensive analysis. "We tried to find the best possible solutions for different scenarios," Martínez told reporters. "We looked at the players in different roles and positions, also about fitness and possible situations during the season." His words highlight the plan to keep the team competitive despite personnel shortages.
Before the European adventure begins, Bayer Leverkusen faces an important Bundesliga match on Friday, September 5. At the BayArena, the team hosts ninth-placed Union Berlin. This clash offers a chance to respond to the opening day defeat and build confidence ahead of the Europa League. The club's full schedule is listed on our fixtures page. The current league table situation and the gap to the top can be followed on the standings page. For the Europa League, Martínez has now finalised his squad, betting on a mix of experience and young talent to compete on three fronts. The first European challenge awaits on September 16.
