English Bundesliga

Moussa Diaby: The new star for Bayer Leverkusen

Moussa Diaby believes Bayer Leverkusen will qualify for the Champions League on the final matchday this Saturday, despite facing stiff competition from RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach.

Leipzig travel to Augsburg while Gladbach will play against in-form Hertha Berlin, who beat Leverkusen 2-0 to Hertha last week.

Leverkusen should have no trouble picking up three points against Mainz, although it’s not as easy as it seems to be.

Diaby however, remains optimistic over Leverkusen chances to qualify next season.

“It’s an objective for the club and for all the players,” the 20-year-old said.

“It’s true we did not get a good result this weekend at Hertha. It will not be easy. But we will play our last match with the aim of qualifying for the Champions League.

“We have no way of knowing what will happen in the other games. We will focus on ourselves, as we do every weekend. We will see. In any case, we are confident. Our aim is still to qualify for the Champions League.”

At the same time, Diaby doesn’t think it would be a wasted season if Leverkusen failed to secure Champions League football for next season.

“It would not be a wasted season. We have had a great season. We will not ignore all of that on the basis of one match or on qualification.

“Our objective is to secure Champions League football. We will do everything to achieve that. We will play our match this weekend accordingly and we will see what the results are.”

Not many people know that Diaby was one of PSG brightest talent, playing for 25 games before joining Leverkusen this season.

The Frenchman became the new poster boy for Leverkusen, playing 27 Bundesliga games and 35 games in all competitions, more than Leon Bailey, Paulinho and Lucas Alario.

All is not lost this season, as Leverkusen will have a chance to win a trophy as they scheduled to meet Bundesliga champion, Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal final.

“It’s true that we are facing a very strong team in Bayern,” Diaby said.

“They are champions of Germany once again. But as you saw, we got a good result from the match away to Bayern earlier this season. So, it is possible.

“We are also a strong team and are one of the top five teams in the Bundesliga. There is no reason for us to go into this match with any fear. We will give 100% as we always do and we hope to win the final.”