Leverkusen coach Alonso opts for Palacios over Andrich in Europa League final against Atalanta
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has opted to start Argentina midfielder Exequiel Palacios over Robert Andrich in the Europa League final against Atalanta in Dublin
By Ap News
Published - May 22, 2024, 03:00 PM ET
Last Updated - May 27, 2024, 12:27 AM EDT
DUBLIN (AP) — Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso opted to start Argentina midfielder Exequiel Palacios over Robert Andrich in the Europa League final against Atalanta on Wednesday.
Andrich, who made his Germany national team debut at age 29 this season, had started more games in Leverkusen's run to final than Palacios, who was on the 2022 World Cup-winning squad.
The new German champion aims to extend its remarkable season-long unbeaten run to 52 games with just the domestic cup final left to play Saturday.
Both teams will start with their regular Europa League goalkeepers who play less often in domestic league games: Matěj Kovář for Leverkusen and Juan Musso for Atalanta.
