Revamped Leverkusen Seek to Spark Bundesliga Battle Against Bayern
Bayer Leverkusen are set to revive their intense Bundesliga competition with Bayern Munich this Saturday, yet they bear little resemblance to the team that once terrorised the Bavarian powerhouses in previous campaigns.
During Xabi Alonsos time at the helm, Leverkusen matched Bayern stride for stride over more than two years, challenging them more fiercely than any German outfit since Jurgen Klopps Borussia Dortmund over ten years ago.
Alonsos squad secured three victories and three stalemates in their six league encounters against Bayern while he was in charge, highlighted by a resounding 3-0 triumph in February 2024 en route to an invincible domestic double.
This term, though, the dynamics have shifted back to familiar patterns.
Leverkusen saw key players depart during the off-season and are now on their second manager of the campaign, as Kasper Hjulmand stepped in for the dismissed Erik ten Hag following merely two Bundesliga outings.
After eight matches, Leverkusen occupy fifth position, trailing an invincible Bayern by seven points.
Bayerns 4-1 victory in the German Cup against Cologne midweek marked their 14th successive win across all competitions, surpassing a long-standing mark for the finest opening in any of Europes elite leagues.
These diverging form lines suggest Leverkusen are improbable candidates to be the initial side to dent Bayerns points tally this season, though optimism lingers.
Since Hjulmands arrival, Leverkusen have triumphed in six and tied four fixtures, suffering only a single defeat, namely a 7-2 drubbing by continental title holders Paris Saint-Germain.
Their 4-2 German Cup success over second-tier Paderborn on Wednesday extended into additional time, prompting Hjulmand to assure his players ample rest ahead of the Bayern journey.
Those additional 30 minutes were far from perfect for us, but such is the nature of the game.
From this point, our focus is entirely on recuperation, medical care, diet, and all essentials to prepare for a victory over Bayern.
These coming days matter greatly, with minimal practice sessions but emphasis on restoring vitality.
Transformed under Hjulmand this year, midfielder Jonas Hofmann declared that Leverkusen would head to Munich not to grievance but to claim rewards.
Player to observe: Tiago Tomas
Acquired towards the close of the transfer period to fill the void left by Nick Woltemades move to the Premier League, Tiago Tomas has swiftly carved out a role in Stuttgarts attacking setup for a progressing side.
Tomas has netted twice in league play and brings pace along the flanks, connecting effectively with forwards Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirovic.
Following yet another turbulent summer, Stuttgart have claimed victory in their last five Bundesliga fixtures and hold third place.
I have overheard some suggesting we are faltering, yet I view it as typical, Tomas remarked in a chat with the Bundesliga site on Wednesday. If we can notch the successes we have amid this transition, I hardly see us as faltering.
I am eager for the upcoming challenges. I believe we are uniting as a unit.
Stuttgart face a trip to second-placed RB Leipzig this Saturday.
Essential figures
5 - St Pauli have endured defeats in their previous five Bundesliga outings, the poorest streak among teams in Europes leading five divisions.
8 - Bayern have triumphed in all eight of their opening league games. Their record-breaking start remains capturing the initial 11 Bundesliga matches in 2012-13.
37 - Bayer Leverkusen remain undefeated across their last 37 away assignments, stretching to May 2023, comprising 25 successes and 12 ties.
Schedule (1430 GMT except where noted)
Friday
Augsburg v Borussia Dortmund (1930)
Saturday
RB Leipzig v Stuttgart, Heidenheim v Eintracht Frankfurt, Union Berlin v Freiburg, Mainz v Werder Bremen, St Pauli v Borussia Moenchengladbach, Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen (1730)
Sunday
Cologne v Hamburg (1430), Wolfsburg v Hoffenheim (1630)