Football Season Guide

Bayer Leverkusen struggled for most of last season and they were well short of challenging for a place in the Champions League. They took action by sacking their manager and new boss Sami Hyypia managed to turn things around and at least secure an entry to the Europa League. They will look to repeat that at the very least but more realistically they have to try to push on to challenge for a top four place once more. They have made good additions to the defence in the shape of Wollscheid and Carvajal while at the other end of the park Fernandes should do well in search of goals. There are a number of notable departees though as Corluka, Barnetta and Derdiyok all played big roles last season even if Ballack being freed is not so big a loss as it would have seemed. Leno is a superb goalkeeper between the sticks but though the defence is solid, Schurrle, Kiessling and Augusto should all ensure there is plenty of creativity going forward.