After three meetings across the Bundesliga and DFB Cup already this season, Bayern face a very familiar foe in Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of the Champions League. It’s the first all-German tie in the competition for a number of years. Bayern go into Wednesday’s first leg with a formidable home record and a goalkeeper on the verge of a major milestone, as we reveal in the pre-match facts and stats.
21st time in last 16
This is the 21st time Bayern have been among the last 16 in the Champions League. Since the previous change in format for the 2003/04 season, only Real Madrid have reached this stage more often (22 times). This tie against Leverkusen is Bayern’s ninth against a German club (including East Germany) in the knockout stage of European competitions. The Bavarians have won each of the last three all-Bundesliga games in Europe.
Unbeaten at home for four years
The six-time European champions have lost just one of their last 11 home legs in the last 16 of the Champions League (W9, D1). Bayern have scored 41 goals in those 11 games, which works out at almost four per match. The Reds’ most recent defeat at the Allianz Arena in Europe came in April 2021 when Hansi Flick’s side went down 3-2 against Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals. The record since then is 16 wins and five draws on the continental stage, which is currently the best run by any team competing in the Champions League this season.
Captain Neuer to bring up 150
Barely a week after the club marked its 125th anniversary, Manuel Neuer could also bring up a big milestone on Wednesday with his 150th Champions League appearance. He’d become just the second goalkeeper to reach that landmark number after Iker Casillas (177).
Kane for goals, Kimmich for passes
As Bundesliga leaders take on the defending Bundesliga champions in Europe, Bayern will be looking to Harry Kane’s golden touch in front of goal. Since he moved to Munich in August 2023, nobody has scored more Champions League goals than the English striker (15, same as Kylian Mbappe). Add in his five assists and the 31-year-old leads the way for goal contributions with 20.
Joshua Kimmich comes top in class across three categories in the 2024/25 Champions League. The Bayern midfielder has completed the most passes (883), the most line-breaking passes (174) and also set up the most shots (30) of any player in the competition.
They and the whole team will need to be at their best again on Wednesday as Bayern look to get themselves in a good position for next week’s second leg.
Former Bayern and Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack previews Wednesday's first leg:
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