Bayer’s only problem so far - AFCON

Leverkusen fans are finally happy. In the last five season, this wealthy team, supported by medical giant Bayer have managed to finish in the first four places only twice. Too little for a club with big ambitions. So, when they finally managed to find a proper manager in Xabi Alonso (and it was a gamble to be honest) and when former player and sporting director Simon Rolfes finally mastered the scouting craft, we have the Bayern of 2023 – fast, modern, attacking, aggressive and a joy to watch. Leverkusen defeated Leipzig (who defeated Bayern 3-0) 3-2 and Borussia Monchengladbach 3-0 and the morale couldn’t be higher. But one problem suddenly appeared – African Cup of Nations.

All bigger clubs in Europe have some African footballers in the squad and they all know that those players, if selected by their countries, won’t be available in January. So far, Leverkusen had Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso) and Odilon Kossounou (Ivory Coast) to lose for a few weeks, but now, they bought Nigerian Victor Boniface from Union SG, and with his current form, he will surely be invited. On top of that, an unexpected decision by Amine Adli could provide Xabi Alonso with additional headache. The U21 player participated at the EURO for France in Georgia, but apparently decided to switch alliances. He has a Morocco passport so that option is possible and the player obviously is exploring that option. After all, France squad is among the most crowded ones, just ask Moussa Diaby, who failed to be a member of squad for EURO 2022 last year. When Adli was asked by the press are the reports about his switch to Morocco are true, he replied:

"Wait until the list is published today”. The player was referring to the Walid Regragui’s scheduled press conference ahead of the matches with Liberia and Burkina Faso.

Xabi Alonso's mean machine with African engine: Leverkusen take no prisoners as Boniface shines

But, the press conference was unexpectedly moved from today (Tuesday) to Thursday. Unlike the regular fans and reporters, Bayer officials surely already know what team Adli has chosen and if it’s Morocco, this will be another headache for them. If Bayer had to do without this quartet at the beginning of 2024, it would hit the Europa League participants hard. Five Bundesliga matchdays have already been scheduled during the Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the quarter-finals in the DFB Cup.