Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen – Bundesliga – Preview

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Sreya

Bayern Munich take on Bayer Leverkusen in one of the most anticipated Bundesliga fixtures on Saturday. The reigning Bundesliga champions will take on a club, who according to Pep Guardiola is one of their toughest competitors this season.

Bayern have made a mixed start to the season. Although Pep Guardiola’s men put five goals past Hamburg in their season opener, injuries and suspensions could falter their title challenge. Bayern struggled to get across the line against Hoffenheim and will be wary of Leverkusen, who have made a blazing start to the new season. Roger Schmidt’s squad seems to be the most promising in recent years and their tactic of pressing when not in possession has been at the heart of their gameplay this season.

Team News

Bayern Munich’s only major injury concern is Mehdi Benatia. Jerome Boateng is suspended. Robert Lewandowski could return to the starting line-up, after coming off the bench to score against Hoffenheim.

Leverkusen have sold Heung-Min Son to Tottenham Hotspur. Roger Schmidt is likely to play an unchanged side from last week, but midfielder Kevin Krampl could make his debut at some point in the match.

Bayern Munich Possible Starting XI: Manuel Neuer, Rafinha, Xabi Alonso, David Alaba, Philip Lahm, Arturo Vidal, Thomas Mueller, Juan Bernat, Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski, Douglas Costa.

Bayer Leverkusen Possible Starting XI: Bernd Leno, Roberto Hilbert, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Jonathan Tah, Wendell, Lars Bender, Christoph Kramer, Karim Bellarabi, Hakan Calhanoglu, Admir Mehmedi, Stefan Kiebling.

Thoughts From Both Clubs

Bayer are big rivals for the Bundesliga title. Leverkusen are unique opponents. They don’t give you any time to consider. We’re going to have to let the ball do more running than our legs. They are a special team – very intense.

Hakan takes some very dangerous free-kicks so we’ve got to prevent those situations. When you have fewer players, you have fewer options, but if you want to win the Bundesliga then you need to get three points against Leverkusen.

– Pep Guardiola, Bayern Munich Manager.

“They are the best of the best. There is no bigger challenge than facing Bayern in the Bundesliga. But if we take our chances and make the right decisions going forward, then we can be a match for them.”

– Roger Schmidt, Bayer Leverkusen Manager.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, Bayern Munich have won 58% of its matches against Leverkusen. Both clubs have made a winning start to the 2015/16 Bundesliga season, but Bayern have lost just one of their 27 competitive home games against Leverkusen till date.