The Bundesliga returns with a bang from the first international break of the season as Bayern Munich take on Bayer Leverkusen in the Matchday 8 curtain-raiser.
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In fifth and fifteenth place respectively in the table, neither side has yet hit top form in 2022/23, but with so much quality out on the pitch it is simply a matter of time before they do. bundesliga.com takes a look at how the teams compare.
Second season syndrome for coaches?
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann and Leverkusen counterpart both Gerardo Seoane took the reins of their respective teams on 1 July 2021.
Each enjoyed a sensational debut season, with Nagelsmann winning his first Bundesliga title thanks to some swashbuckling displays, and Leverkusen earning plaudits for their breathless attack-minded approach that yielded third place in the league and a run to the UEFA Europa League last 16.
If Leverkusen can get their aforementioned attack purring at the Allianz Arena then they could well extend Bayern’s winless sequence.
That is, of course, providing their own rearguard can withstand the hosts’ advances – something they have not managed in the teams’ last 10 league meetings. In Frimpong, Jonathan Tah, Edmond Tapsoba and Piero Hincapie they too have a settled back four – which is also able to transition seamlessly into a three if called upon – with the terrier-like Robert Andrich patrolling the midfield in front of them.
Die Werkself have only managed one Bundesliga clean sheet all season but showed their true colours in the UEFA Champions League when they kept out Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in a 2-0 victory earlier this month. They have the potential to mix it with the best. They just need to show it in Munich.
