Defending Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen face the primary true take a look at of their title defence once they host RB Leipzig on Saturday. Unbeaten in Germany final season, Xabi Alonso’s aspect have battled to slim wins within the German Supercup, German Cup and of their Bundesliga opener this season. In Leipzig, they face a title rival for the primary time. The two league fixtures between the golf equipment final season proved essential milestones in Leverkusen’s breakthrough title.
In the Bundesliga opener final 12 months, Leverkusen received 3-2 towards Marco Rose’s German Cup holders.
The victory was an early warning to title favourites Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, who had completed the earlier season atop the desk, separated solely by aim distinction.
In January’s return recreation in Leipzig, Leverkusen once more received 3-2, coming from behind twice earlier than scoring an injury-time winner.
The late victory was an indication of issues to come back from a aspect who’ve scored 17 objectives within the 88th minute or later thus far in 2024.
Both golf equipment come into season 2024-25 in an uncommon place, having held on to most of their star gamers in the course of the low season.
From the group which received an unbeaten league and cup double final season, Leverkusen misplaced solely defender Odilon Kossounou.
Leipzig, typically raided by Europe’s elite at season’s finish, misplaced ahead Dani Olmo, however his alternative Antonio Nusa has fitted proper in, with two objectives in two video games.
Leverkusen haven’t impressed thus far this season and struggled to a 1-0 win at fourth-division Carl Zeiss Jena on Wednesday.
Midfield enforcer Robert Andrich mentioned the win was their “weakest efficiency” of the 12 months, saying “we did not take it critically.”
“We made far too many errors.”
Jonas Hofmann, who scored the sport’s solely aim, mentioned the show must be “a warning shot to point out all of us that our efficiency did not lower it.”
Elsewhere, Union Berlin host St Pauli in Friday’s opener, the primary top-division conflict between the 2 cult sides.
Bayern — who wanted to come back from behind to beat Wolfsburg 3-2 on Sunday — host Freiburg on Sunday.
Freiburg made a dream begin to life after the retirement of long-serving supervisor Christian Streich, beating final season’s runners-up Stuttgart 3-1 in Saturday’s Bundesliga opener below new boss Julian Schuster.
Dortmund journey to Werder Bremen, whereas Stuttgart host Mainz.
One to look at: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
He could not have scored, however Harry Kane was the muse of the whole lot Bayern Munich did nicely in Sunday’s 3-2 win at Wolfsburg.
The England captain launched an assault down the appropriate for Jamal Musiala’s opener.
When Bayern discovered themselves behind after a quick-fire Lovro Majer double, Kane’s highly effective header created an personal aim to stage the scores and he arrange Serge Gnabry’s winner within the remaining levels.
Speaking with the Bundesliga web site on Wednesday, Kane mentioned England’s loss within the Euro 2024 remaining gave him “much more motivation” to interrupt by for the primary group title of his profession this season.
“This membership should be successful titles. I believe there’s an actual starvation and want with the brand new coach (Vincent Kompany). We’re all desperate to get these trophies again.”
Key stats
1 in 17 – Freiburg have received simply one among their previous 17 video games towards Bayern Munich.
710 – Sunday might be Thomas Mueller’s 710th recreation for Bayern, a membership report.
Three in six – In August 2022, Werder Bremen scored three objectives in six minutes to grab a 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund, with the final aim coming within the fifth minute of stoppage time.
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