Leverkusen boss Martinez confirms goalkeeping choice for European nights

Carles Martinez confirmed Mark Flekken will also start Europa League games for Bayer Leverkusen as Janis Blaswich has to wait for DFB-Pokal action. The 33-year-old conceded five goals in Leverkusen's first two away games in the Bundesliga.

"As for the goalkeeper, I have decided that Mark (Flekken) will play on Wednesday," the Catalan said in the pre-match conference for the game against NK Celje. The former Toulouse boss had previously left his goalkeeping choice for the Europa League open.

"Mistakes are part of football. That's something I firmly believe in. If someone makes a mistake, that's no reason to say, 'come on, you're out!'" Martinez added after Flekken's weekend performance drew more criticism.

"I think he's a great professional. He's doing incredible things. He's the first one to be there. He's the first to push for us to get better as a squad. So I am very satisfied in many ways. My philosophy is to stand by my players, especially after mistakes," Martinez reiterated his trust in the former Freiburg shot-stopper.

When Leverkusen competed in the Europa League during Xabi Alonso's spell, Matěj Kovář was the preferred choice for all cup games, while Lukas Hradecky was the starting goalkeeper in the Bundesliga.

Leverkusen's European campaign will start at home against Slovenian side NK Celje. Apart from games against Ligue sides Marseille (MD04) and Lyon (MD08), they will face teams outside the top-five leagues in the league phase of Europe's secondary competition.