Bayern host Bayer Leverkusen full of confidence for top-of-the-table clash

Bayern host reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday in a game the world will be watching at the Allianz Arena (kick-off at 6.30pm CEST, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our live text commentary and free web radio). The Munich side want to lay down a marker as league leaders up against the team currently in second place and continue their perfect start to the season. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our preview.

Check out the photos from final training on Friday:

Latest news

The campaign could hardly have got off to a better start from a Bayern point of view. A record of four wins from as many Bundesliga games, with 16 goals scored and three conceded, means the record champions are in first place before hosting Leverkusen. “We’re confident thanks to our performances and how we’ve played. We’ve had some really good games. It means we’ve got ourselves into a good position and are looking forward to a great game,” said sporting director Christoph Freund at Friday’s press conference. However, Bayern’s senses have been heightened given the opposition coming to town. “It’s always about the next game. If you’ve had a good performance, you need to keep working and do more. Anything is possible in a game like this against Leverkusen. We’ll prepare so the team can perform to their maximum on Saturday,” added head coach Vincent Kompany.

The Belgian boss has no plans to change how he approaches this top-of-the-table encounter. “We’ve done the same as how we prepared against Kiel or Bremen. But that doesn’t mean the tactical plan or moves are the same,” he stated. “Bayern’s goal must always be to impress our own game. It’s key that it’s a home game for us. We want to show the best version of ourselves and always focus on our own strengths.”

Read more from Kompany and Freund at the pre-match press conference:

Opponent: Bayer Leverkusen

The defending champions arrive in Munich sat second in the table. After a remarkable unbeaten campaign last term, they have nine points on the board from their first four matches after three wins against Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-2), Hoffenheim (4-1) and Wolfsburg (4-3), plus a 3-2 defeat at home to RB Leipzig. One quality that Xabi Alonso’s team demonstrated time and time again last year has been on display once more this term, with the winning goals against Gladbach and Wolfsburg last weekend both coming in added time. “When Leverkusen need a goal, they knock on the door until someone finally opens. So, the game will be exciting till the final minute,” stated Thomas Müller.

Ex-Bayern man and now Bayer 04 coach Alonso is expecting “perhaps the toughest game of the season” in Munich. “We have clear ideas, know what we want. It’s a big challenge. To show our highest level, we need great concentration. We need to be ready for all scenarios.” With the Bundesliga holders conceding nine goals across their first four games this term, the team has spent the week working on defensive stability. “It’s not just an issue for defenders. We want to be compact and press higher or lower at the right moments. We need a complete performance,” Alonso added.

Read up on the facts ahead of the game:

Team news

Bayern will definitely still be without Hiroki Ito, who only started running on Friday following his metatarsal injury, as well as Sacha Boey and Josip Stanisic (both knee). Manuel Neuer, who had to pull out of last weekend’s game in Bremen after feeling a reaction in his thigh during the warm-up, has been able to train with the team again. However, Kompany insists he will make a final decision on his captain and goalkeeper on Saturday.

Leverkusen make the trip with a fully fit squad at their disposal.

Fans have the chance outside the Allianz Arena to put their signature to Bayern’s ‘Not with us’ campaign against hatred:

What the coaches say