Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich match preview
Reigning German champions Bayer Leverkusen will feel victory is crucial when they host leaders Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Bayern are eight points clear with a 24-goal superiority over Xabi Alonso’s side, so a positive result would put Die Roten in an even more imperious-looking position for the final 12 league games of the campaign.
In his first managerial job, Alonso is yet to lose to Bayern and has won three of his five encounters with the 33-time German title winners.
“It’s always a special game against Bayern,” said the Spaniard. “They are the best opponents in the Bundesliga and they come here with the better starting position.”
Visiting manager Vincent Kompany assessed Leverkusen’s tactics while discussing his ambition of making his side only the second team to beat them since the start of the 2023/24 season.
“Leverkusen have shown they can go for a full press when they need but can also defend deeper,” observed the Belgian.
“We’re in a spell where we don’t need to think too much about the opposition. We know they can defend deep but also press high.
“We need to be prepared for both. We’ve often pressed high, which has worked well. But when someone plays through, we can also defend deep.
“We’re prepared for both. We want to have the ball and score goals, no matter what phase of the game.”
Leverkusen vs Bayern team news
Defender or midfielder Jeanuel Belocian is out for Leverkusen with a knee injury, as is attacker Martin Terrier with an Achilles issue.
Left-back or centre-back Mario Hermoso will also miss out. “He has stomach issues and couldn’t train, which is why he unfortunately won’t be in the squad tomorrow,” explained Alonso.
Wideman Alphonso Davies is absent for Bayern because of a hamstring injury, while goalkeeper Daniel Peretz is still suffering with a kidney contusion the 24-year-old sustained in training almost a month ago.
“The injured players aren’t far from returning to training,” said Kompany, who is without midfielder Joao Palhinha through illness.
Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich expected line-ups
Leverkusen starting XI: Hradecky, Mukiele, Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie, Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo, Wirtz, Boniface
Bayern starting XI: Neuer, Stanisic, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro, Kimmich, Pavlovic, Olise, Musiala, Coman, Kane
How to watch Leverkusen vs Bayern: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off is at 17:30 UK time on Saturday, with live coverage on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Football YouTubecommencing at 17:20.