Schick or Alario? Bosz tends toward former for league start
Peter Bosz faces at least one tough choice when selecting his lineup for the weekend encounter against Hertha BSC.
In a Friday presser, he hinted that he tended toward Patrik Schick over Lucas Alario at center-forward.
Despite the fact that Lucas Alario's burst of power leaves him as the Bundesliga's third-leading goalscorer, Werkself trainer Peter Bosz seemed to suggest that summer acquisition Patrik Schick remained his first choice.
In a Friday presser, he hinted that he tended toward Patrik Schick over Lucas Alario at center-forward.
"It worked [with Patrik]," he noted, "He's ready. We've been swapping out the two strikers, obviously because Patrik was injured for a while."
Bosz effectively ruled out playing with them both. "One always has to keep the issue of balance in mind," he said, "one can even play with eight strikers, but that doesn't mean one can play offensively."
Continued rotation of the pair would make the most logical sense. The upcoming schedule effectively obliges Bosz to use one striker for the next two league fixtures whilst the other starts the Europa league matches. Neither one need play the full 90 minutes. As Thursday's UEL tie demonstrated, both can score whilst sharing the no. nine duties.
Bosz also clarified during the press conference that there was "no hope" for his regular starting center-backs Sven Bender and Edmond Tapsoba. Bayer will also likely have to line up without Sven's twin brother Lars at right back.
The Leverkusen coach will have to get creative in terms of building his defensive ranks. Tin Jedvaj will surely face consequences for his mental lapse in Thursday's match. Both Mitchell Weiser and Jonathan Tah may be forced to start despite sparse usage and poor form.