'We need points and wins' - Bayern aiming for turnaround against Leverkusen

Few would’ve expected before the start of the season that the fixture between FC Bayern and Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Matchday 8 (free live text and Web Radio from 20:30 CEST on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app) would be a meeting between fifth and 15th in the table - and from Bayern’s point of view at least, that should be rectified as quickly as possible. “Everyone knows we really need to push hard now. We’ll see a very different team on Friday - and a victorious team too,” demanded president Herbert Hainer. Get the lowdown on the match in the preview.

See the photos from the final training session on Thursday here:

The situation for FC Bayern

Before heading into a period of 13 games in the next six weeks, coach Julian Nagelsmann had a bit of time in the international break to take a breather and find an explanation for Bayern’s recent winless run in the Bundesliga. “It’s always important to question yourself,” the 35-year-old explained, in view of the fact his team have collected just three points from their last four matches, which has seen them fall behind in the race at the top of the table.

After extensive analysis, Nagelsmann has given his team the necessary starting points to turn their form around. “We don’t need to turn everything inside out. We had 93 shots on goal in the last four games,” said the FCB boss. “The potential that’s inside the players makes me positive for the future. We’ve still got plenty in the arsenal that we’ve not yet shown.” With that, the head coach also set out the approach for the clash against Leverkusen. “We’re not where we expect to be in the table. We need to be aware that when the day comes, we have to be in first place. We want to perform accordingly tomorrow. We need points and wins.”

Watch Julian Nagelsmann’s pre-match press conference in full:

The opponents: Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Leverkusen would certainly like to have Bayern’s problems at the moment. Having even been tipped by some pundits as title contenders before the season, the Werkself currently languish in 15th place in the table. Five points after seven matchdays is their worst record at this stage of a Bundesliga campaign since 1982/83, when they had three. “It’s not been the start we wanted. We’ve had two or three games in which we‘ve produced unsatisfactory performances and got the result we deserved,” admitted coach Gerardo Seoane.

In the 1-1 draw against Werder Bremen on Matchday 7, Bayer again threw away a lead and have already dropped seven points from winning positions this term (joint most with Werder). Nevertheless, the Swiss coach sees progress in his team, who have now “pulled together” and want to “haul themselves out of the situation”.

The facts and stats on the meeting with the Werkself:

The team news for FC Bayern vs. Leverkusen

As well as longer-term absentees Bouna Sarr (knee surgery), Lucas Hernández (adductor) and Kingsley Coman (hamstring), Nagelsmann confirmed that Paul Wanner will also miss out against Leverkusen on Friday night. With Coman, the Bayern boss expects the Frenchman to be “partially reintegrated” into training next week.

For the visitors, Amine Adli could be involved again, as Seoane confirmed, but Karim Bellarabi won’t make it. Aside from that, “all the internationals have come back on time and healthy”.

What the coaches say

Julian Nagelsmann: “Leverkusen aren’t in a good place on the sporting front, but they have an excellent squad and a very good coach. They’ll play with courage with different lines of attack. They always want to play football, have a lot of pace, outstanding individual players and a very good coach. It is a top fixture, even if results might suggest otherwise. I expect a big effort from us.”

Gerardo Seoane (Bayer 04 Leverkusen): “In Munich you always need a very passionate team and a lot of willingness to defend against this tremendous quality. Despite that, we have to be brave and also try to implement our own game when we have spells of possession, and of course use the spaces that FC Bayern offer as a result of their attacking dominance.”