Leverkusen in Rebuild on Alert Versus Elite PSG
Bayer Leverkusen, currently in the process of reconstruction following a challenging summer period, will confront one of the most formidable challenges in club football as they welcome European title holders Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
Following the most triumphant chapter in the German outfits 120-year history, featuring an unbeaten domestic league and cup triumph along with a journey to the Europa League showpiece in 2023/24, Leverkusen saw manager Xabi Alonso depart alongside numerous key squad members over the summer break.
Alonsos replacement Erik ten Hag was dismissed after only two domestic fixtures, leaving Danish tactician Kasper Hjulmand to integrate nearly an entire starting lineup of fresh signings.
Among them, French defender Loic Bade has rapidly established himself, taking command in the heart of the backline.
In a discussion with AFP, the Paris native Bade emphasised that Leverkusen must remain cautious of the French powerhouse, describing PSG as "the top side globally at present".
Home City Outfit
Bade, who progressed through the youth systems at Paris FC and subsequently Le Havre, endured a difficult loan spell at Nottingham Forest prior to joining Sevilla and securing Europa League glory.
He earned a spot in the France team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, claiming silver, and notched his senior international debut earlier this year.
At Leverkusen, Bade was brought in to fill the void left by German stalwart Jonathan Tah, who transferred to Bayern Munich.
"Im facing the club from my home city," Bade noted, further stating that "naturally, this encounter holds special significance for me.
"In my view, they rank as the finest worldwide currently, despite their injury concerns."
With merely a month separating their Club World Cup final defeat and the campaign launch via the UEFA Super Cup, PSG have suffered a barrage of injuries.
Ousmane Dembele, Marquinhos, Fabian Ruiz, and Joao Neves have all been sidelined at various points, while Champions League final standout Desire Doue featured again in Fridays 3-3 stalemate against Strasbourg.
"Even accounting for those missing, they boast an expansive roster and an exceptional manager," Bade commented.
Leverkusen continue to adapt in the Champions League, with two draws from their initial pair of outings. The 2002 finalists rallied from behind on two occasions to secure a 2-2 result away to FC Copenhagen, before sharing the spoils 1-1 at home versus PSV Eindhoven.
Leverkusen remain undefeated across seven matches under Hjulmand, yet this fixture presents a sterner examination against a somewhat diminished PSG.
The continental kings have endured a tentative start to their league campaign this term, forfeiting seven points over the first eight matches to occupy an unaccustomed runner-up position.
Nevertheless, the French capital side have triumphed in both of their Champions League assignments thus far, overcoming Atalanta at home and Barcelona on the road.
A Unifier
Bade holds a pivotal role should Leverkusens rearguard manage to neutralise PSGs renowned forward line.
The 25-year-old projects composure and assurance at the back, though Leverkusen have equally praised his contributions beyond matchdays.
Typically deployed in a trio of defenders with English import Jarell Quansah and Burkina Faso international Edmond Tapsoba, flanked by Spanish pair Lucas Vazquez and Alex Grimaldo, Bade serves as the focal point.
During a session with AFP and additional outlets on Thursday, director of football Simon Rolfes highlighted "how impressively Loic has performed on the field, but equally remarkable is his conduct away from it, which carries great weight for us this summer.
"He functions as a unifier within the dressing room. With so many Spanish speakers, French speakers, English speakers, in such a diverse group, having unifiers proves essential."
Argentinian World Cup victor Exequiel Palacios commended Bade for accelerating his adaptation.
"Regarding Bade, honestly, from the moment he joined, hes emerged as a robust presence showcasing his defensive coordination abilities," Palacios shared with AFP and fellow media on Thursday.
"Both on and off the pitch, he keeps astonishing us. Im genuinely pleased to have him with Leverkusen."