Bayer Leverkusen have suffered a significant setback ahead of their DFB Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, with star striker Christian Kofane ruled out through a thigh injury.
The 19-year-old Cameroonian has been one of the breakout stars of the season under manager Kasper Hjulmand.
Having joined from Spanish second-tier side Albacete last summer, Kofane has quickly established himself as one of the world’s most exciting young forwards.
He has contributed seven goals and eight assists across all competitions, trailing only Patrick Schick and Alejandro Grimaldo in goal involvements for the club.
This will be just the second time all season that Kofane has been absent from Leverkusen’s matchday squad.
He previously missed a 4-1 Bundesliga defeat to VfB Stuttgart in January while away on international duty with Cameroon.
Leverkusen have faced Bayern Munich twice this campaign without securing a victory. Kofane came off the bench in both encounters: a 3-0 loss in November and a 1-1 draw in March.
With Kofane sidelined, Czech international Patrik Schick is expected to lead the line.
Schick started and played the full 90 minutes in Leverkusen’s 2-1 win over Mainz last weekend, opening the scoring.
The DFB Pokal now represents Bayer Leverkusen’s final opportunity to claim silverware this season. Bayern, who clinched the Bundesliga title last weekend, arrive in formidable form, making the task even tougher for Hjulmand’s side in Kofane’s absence.
The young forward’s creativity and finishing will be sorely missed as Leverkusen chase a place in the final.
The Werkself will face Bayern for the ninth time in the DFB-Pokal, where they have progressed twice. They have not faced any other club more often in the competition.
Last season, Leverkusen won 1-0 away at the Allianz Arena, though Bayern have never been eliminated from the DFB-Pokal by the same club in two consecutive seasons.
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