When Bayer Leverkusen lost, 2-0, to Bayern Munich in Wednesday’s German Cup semifinal, Bild newspaper pointed out that four Bayer summer acquisitions, who cost a combined 117 million euro ($137 million), languished on the bench.

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Soccer America Executive Editor Mike Woitalla has written freelance articles about soccer for more than 30 media outlets in nine nations. The winner of eight United Soccer Coaches Writing Contest awards,...