MITCHEL BAKKER NEWS

Unavailable against Milan Bakker (undisclosed) is a late scratch for Saturday's clash with Milan.

Impact Bakker could have gotten a chance as Atalanta were dealing with a few injury concerns, but he will instead miss out altogether with a physical problem of his own. Matteo Ruggeri is starting on the left wing, and Nadir Zortea will deputize him.

DECEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unused against Verona Bakker (back) didn't play in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Verona.

Impact Bakker quickly shook off a minor injury but didn't get minutes. He'll have to wait for his opportunity since his transition hasn't gone smoothly. He has logged one chance, three inaccurate crosses, and one corner in three appearances off the bench so far.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Called up for Verona match Bakker (back) is available for Wednesday's fixture against Verona, Atalanta announced.

Impact Bakker has been in and out of the squad due to back problems lately but has looked good enough to be an option for this one, although Matteo Ruggeri has fared well on the left flank. He has recorded three crosses (zero accurate), one key pass, and one corner kick in three appearances off the bench so far.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable versus Cagliari Bakker (back) hasn't been called up for Sunday's game against Calgiari, Atalanta announced.

Impact Bakker has been dealing with back issues but was present and came in late midweek in Europa League. Matteo Ruggeri, Davide Zappacosta, and Nadir Zortea will be the options for the left wing Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays one minute in Europa League Bakker (back) came off the bench very late in Thursday's 2-0 win over Rakow.

Impact Bakker featured for a short amount of time, and his competitor Matteo Ruggeri dished another assist in this one. He'll need to show up when given the chance to gain more playing time. He has posted one key pass, three crosses (zero accurate), and one corner in three appearances (zero starts).

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Thursday Bakker (back) has been called up for Thursday's match versus Rakow Czestochowa, Atalanta announced.

Impact Bakker was an unused sub in the past game due to back spasms, but the problem didn't linger. He'll try to challenge Matteo Ruggeri for the starting job. He has posted three inaccurate crosses and one chance in two cameos so far.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nursing injury Bakker didn't play against Fiorentina due to back soreness, Sky Italy reports.

Impact Bakker has played second fiddle to Matteo Ruggeri so far but didn't come off the bench in this one because he wasn't totally healthy. He'll be assessed ahead of the Europa League game coming up Tuesday.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Transfer to Atalanta Bakker has officially joined Atalanta on a permanent deal from Bayer Leverkusen.

Impact Bakker is coming off a fine season where he tallied four goals and three assists in 34 appearances across all competitions. He'll split time with Joakim Maehle, Davide Zappacosta, Matteo Ruggeri, and newcomer Sead Kolasinac at this new club, where the starting job on the left wing is up for grabs. He added 30 shots (12 accurate), 29 chances created, and 53 crosses (nine accurate) in the past campaign.

JULY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Career-high appearances Bakker made 28 appearances (19 starts) and scored three times during the 2022/23 Bundesliga.

Impact Bakker's only stretch out of the starting XI came to a conduct violation after he showed up late to a training session. The left wing-back finished the season as a consistent starter and heads into 2023/24 the top choice on the left flank. Bakker created 17 chances and sent in 26 crosses while making 16 tackles and 18 interceptions.

JUNE 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores on Sunday Bakker scored a goalw hile taking three shots (two on goal) and creating a chance during Sunday's 3-2 win over Werder Bremen.

Impact Bakker found the back of the net in the 34th minute scoring Leverkusen's first goal. The goal was the third in 19 appearances for the wing-back, the fourth highest amount on the team.

MARCH 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to bench Bakker (personal) was an unused substitute during Thursday's 2-0 win over Ferencvaros.

Impact Bakker was an unused substitute, returning to the bench after a personal issue. The defender should be available going forward, with a return for a Sunday trip to Werder Bremen possible.

MARCH 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out with personal issue Bakker was not in the match day squad to face Hertha Berlin due to a personal issue.

Impact Bakker misses out on the trip to tend to a personal issue. The fullback is expected to return in time for mid week Europa League action.

MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assists game tying goal Bakker had an assist while crossing four times (one accurate) and creating three chances during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Freiburg.

Impact Bakker set up Sardar Azmoun in the 67th minute assisting the game tying goal for Leverkusen. The assist was the second in 18 appearances for Bakker as he's seen an increase in playing time in recent matches.

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opens the scoring Sunday Bakker scored a goal with his lone shot while creating a chance during Sunday's 3-2 win over Borussia Monchengladbach.

Impact Bakker found the back of the net in the 21st minute scoring the opening goal of the match. The goal was the second in 14 appearances for the wing-back.

JANUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Goal, assist in rout Bakker scored one goal and assisted once from one shot and one chance created in Sunday's 5-0 win against Union Berlin.

Impact Bakker got on the scoresheet twice during Sunday's one-sided win, putting together his first and second goal contributions of the campaign. The left-back has seen solid playing time throughout, but hasn't had the creative spark he showed in previous seasons. Bakker has created just five chances in 11 appearances, though some favorable matches before the Winter break could improve that tally.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Draws PK against Porto Bakker had one shot on goal, created three chances, sent in four crosses (one accurate), made four tackles (two won), drew two fouls, including a penalty and was shown a yellow car...

Impact Bakker had by far his best UCL performance this season, being very active on both side of the pitch and even suffering the penalty that was missed by Kerem Demirbay when his side was still losing by one goal in the 16th minute. After struggling to find regular playing time, Bakker has started three of the last four matches in all competitions and looks like the first choice at left-back under the new head coach.

OCTOBER 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

MATCHDAY: Merseyside derby in EPL; Neymar on a hot streak

The Merseyside derby kicks off an eight-game lineup in the English Premier League on Saturday

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Productive campaign Bakker scored once and added four assists throughout 25 appearances (19 starts) in the Bundesliga.

Impact Bakker scored his first top level goal with Leverkusen as well as providing four assists in his first year with the club. The young left-back played a consistent part of the club, though he found himself on the bench to close out the season. Bakker will hope to solidify the starting left-back job for the 2022/23 season as he looks to finally earn a consistent starting role, something he has struggled to do since leaving Ajax in 2019.

JUNE 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sets up late game winner Bakker had an assist with his lone chance created while crossing twice inaccurately during Saturday's 2-1 win over Freiburg.

Impact Bakker entered the match in the 67th minute and set up Exequiel Palacios for the game winning goal in the 97th. The assist was the fourth of the season for the fullback as he made the most of his time on the pitch.

MAY 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Suspended Friday Bakker is suspended for Friday's trip to Mainz due to yellow card accumulation.

Impact Bakker is suspended for Friday's match and will be sidelined due to the one match suspension. Bakker is a solid fantasy option and is hard to replace for Leverkusen. The next man up should be Jonathan Tah, a very competent defensive replacement, with little fantasy upside.

FEBRUARY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sets up early goal Bakker had an assist while creating two chances, making a tackle and a clearance during Saturday's 5-1 win over Augsburg.

Impact Bakker set up Karim Bellarabi in the ninth minute assisting the opening goal of the match. The assist was the third of the season for the fullback as he finished with the third highest amount of chances created, tackles and clearances on the team in the win.

JANUARY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Bakker (undisclosed) remains out for Saturday's clash with Geruther Furth, according to manager Gerardo Seoane.

Impact Bakker is out Saturday as he continues an absence with an undisclosed injury. The defender will continue to be replaced by Piero Hincapie as he looks to return from this injury. Next up is a Sunday trip to Frankfurt.

DECEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Surprise absence Sunday Bakker (undisclosed) will be unavailable Sunday, according to Leverkusen.

Impact Bakker is surprisingly unavailable Sunday, as he is listed on the injury report. It's uncertain why he will miss Sunday's clash but coming off the international break the hope is that it is rest/fitness related. He will likely be replaced by Piero Hincapie.

NOVEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Leverkusen hosts Bayern Munich as top 2 meet in Bundesliga

Bayer Leverkusen will be aiming to maintain its Bundesliga challenge longer than it did the last time it hosted Bayern Munich

OCTOBER 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Assists early goal Bakker had an assist while taking an off target shot, crossing two times (one accurate), creating a chance, making two tackles (winning one) and three clearances during Sunday's 3-...

Impact Bakker set up Robert Andrich in the second minute assisting an the early opening goal. The assist was the second of the season for the defender while he finished with the second highest amount of shots, chances created, tackles and clearances on the team in the win.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE