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Bayer Leverkusen’s ship appears to have been steadied by coach Kasper Hjulmand in recent weeks as they prepare to host PSV Eindhoven on Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League. Wednesday night’s kick-off is set for 21:00 CET at the BayArena.
Despite being under the cosh for vast swathes of their opening game in the league phase against FC Copenhagen, a late Pantelis Chatzidiakos own-goal saw the Rhineland club emerge with a point.
Since then, they played out a 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach before bagging a 2-1 win over St. Pauli last Saturday. The three points came at a cost however, with striker Patrik Schick hobbling off injured.
For the visitors PSV Eindhoven, they make the relatively short 148-kilometre trip west for the clash. They will want to make amends for their opening round defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise who stunned them 3-1 at the Philips Stadion.
Domestically, they trail Eredivise leaders Feyenoord by three points after 7 games. Since their last European involvement, they played out a fierce 2-2 draw with Ajax before bagging a 2-1 win over Excelsior last Saturday.
Joey Veerman (3 goals) continues to lead the way in the goal-scoring charts for the club. Meanwhile, former Dortmund, Wolfsburg and Bayern man Ivan Perisic continues to reel back the years with 5 assists to become the league’s best provider.
As previously mentioned, Patrik Schick’s hamstring injury will sideline him until mid-October. Exequiel Palacios (adductor) won’t return before the end of the calendar year.
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