Pulling the strings in Saturday’s early Bundesliga title showdown between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen will probably be 21-year-old Germany forwards Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. The midfielders, born inside 10 weeks of one another in 2003, have mixed brilliantly at worldwide stage, however will go face to face at Munich’s Allianz Arena this weekend. While the match, held towards the backdrop of Munich’s Oktoberfest, comes simply 5 video games into the season, it can give the victors early bragging rights in what’s more likely to be a decent title race.
Last 12 months, eventual champions Leverkusen laid down an early marker with a 2-2 attract Munich, earlier than thumping Bayern 3-0 within the return fixture.
Bayern are the one aspect to have received all 4 of their opening league fixtures, however Leverkusen sit simply three factors behind them in second place.
Retired Germany midfielder Toni Kroos lavished reward on the “harmful” duo earlier this month by way of the podcast he hosts along with his brother, former Union Berlin participant Felix.
“These are two gamers we have longed for in Germany for years.
“Players who can flip a innocent scenario right into a harmful one all by themselves.”
Competing with different members of Bayern’s high-quality assault together with Harry Kane, Serge Gnabry and newcomer Michael Olise, Musiala has notched three objectives and one help in 4 league video games this season.
In the identical quantity of matches, Wirtz — Leverkusen’s inventive drive — has 4 objectives and an help, to not point out a brace on his Champions League debut in final week’s demolition of Feyenoord.
In the lead-up, Musiala mentioned the 2 had been “good pals”, including “it should be a troublesome recreation and everybody’s trying ahead to it.”
Their seven matches towards one another have been comparatively even, with Musialia on the profitable aspect 3 times and Wirtz twice, to go together with two attracts.
“Flo particularly is all the time going for extra, working tougher and hungrier,” Leverkusen captain Lukas Hradecky instructed the Bundesliga web site.
“Everything final 12 months was improbable. We need to compete within the title race once more.”
That each Wirtz and Musiala head into the match with clouded futures solely highlights how in-demand they’ve grow to be.
Bayern have mentioned repeatedly they need to prolong the contract of Musiala, who joined from Chelsea in 2019. His deal runs till 2026 however there are a number of potential suitors for the England-raised participant.
Leverkusen additionally secured Wirtz’s signature in 2020 however the membership’s probabilities of extending his deal, which expires in 2027, are slim, regardless of being Bundesliga and German Cup champions.
With a reported price ticket of 150 million euros ($167 million) positioned on his head by membership supremo Fernando Carro, the query then stays not if Wirtz will depart, however when and the place, with Bayern main admirers.
One to look at: Granit Xhaka
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka might not put on the captain’s armband however is undoubtedly the aspect’s on-field chief.
Known for his scorching head earlier in his profession, Xhaka has grow to be an professional at diffusing tense conditions on the pitch to maintain his teammates calm and targeted.
“It’ll be a high recreation and we’re prepared for it,” the 31-year-old instructed Sky Germany.
“The strain is just not essentially larger (as champions), however totally different… I’ve the sensation we are able to deal with the strain fairly nicely.”
Key stats
37 – Borussia Dortmund haven’t misplaced on Friday night time courting again to a 1-0 defeat by arch rivals Schalke in 2004, a run of 37 video games (28 wins, 9 attracts).
15 – RB Leipzig haven’t misplaced within the league since February, a run of 15 video games.
16 – Bayern haven’t misplaced any of their previous 16 matches as league leaders (11 wins, 5 attracts).
1989 – Leverkusen final saved a clear sheet in Munich in 1989 in a 1-0 victory.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
