At the beginning of the season, not many would have expected that Saturday’s fixture between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen would already have a direct effect on the top of the Bundesliga table.
The Werkself, however, has embraced life without Kai Havertz and Kevin Volland and stunningly pushed its way to the top of the table. Powered by a balanced lineup, Bayer Leverkusen has eight wins and four draws in its first 12 Bundesliga game so far this season.
That success has bred confidence among Leverkusen’s players, who are ready to take on the Record champions.
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“It will be a great game,” said Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Nadiem Amiri (as captured by Evening News). “Everyone is watching. And of course, Bayern can be beaten. You need a lot of heart and will. We definitely have the quality.”
Former Bayern Munich prospect Mitchell Weiser indicated that The Werkself is looking to continue its scorching hot form.
“We are currently on a run that we want to continue,” said Weiser. “If we are already at the top and have a duel like this, we also want three points.”
With a mix of young players and veterans contributing to the squad’s success, Bayer Leverkusen manager Peter Bosz knows that a game against Bayern Munich hold a lot of value.
“For me it is important that players are ready to develop,” Bosz said at his weekly press conference. “You do that through big games such as the DFB-Pokal final or the Europa League. The players gain experience there and grow further as a player and as a team. I don’t care who is the favorite in this game. For me, such a top match doesn’t mean added stress. As an athlete, you want to play big games; that gives you a special energy. Tomorrow will be this kind of game.”
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