Xabi confirms Kovar will stand in goal against Leipzig
Leverkusen keeper Matej Kovar is set to get his first league start this weekend. The 24-year-old - whom Bayer 04 Leverkusen trainer Xabi Alonso has said will get his fair share of opportunities to supplant Lukas Hradecky in goal this year - will fill in for the Werkself skipper due to illness. Xabi confirmed this news at his Friday pre-match presser.
"[Lukas] is still feeling ill," the B04 gaffer noted at the presser, "[Matej] is doing well and growing in confidence."
Kovar started in gaol for Leverkusen during the DFB Pokal fixture on Tuesday whilst Hradecky took the DFL Supercupand last week's league opener. There were times in both matches during which the 34-year-old Hradecky lacked the sharpest reflexes. The elder net-minder remains under contract with Leverkusen through 2026.