Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich | Champions League | Round of 16 | 2nd Leg | Pre Match
Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen have a mountain to climb at the BayArena on Tuesday after losing 3-0 at the Allianz Arena in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich last week. That defeat in Munich was a brutal reminder of the gap between the Bundesliga champions and their Bavarian rivals, as Bayern dismantled Leverkusen with clinical precision. Goals from Harry Kane, Thomas Müller, and Leroy Sané exposed defensive frailties and left Die Werkself reeling, their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals hanging by a thread. The BayArena, typically a fortress for Xabi Alonso’s side, now looms as the stage for a near-impossible comeback, requiring a three-goal victory without reply against a Bayern team that has lost just once in Europe this season. Leverkusen’s task is daunting not only because of the scoreline but also due to Bayern’s historical dominance in this fixture—prior to last season’s title-winning campaign, Leverkusen had struggled to assert themselves against the record champions. The first leg showcased Bayern’s ability to exploit Leverkusen’s high-pressing style, with swift transitions and ruthless finishing that left Alonso’s men shell-shocked. As Tuesday approaches, Leverkusen must summon the spirit of their 2023-24 Bundesliga triumph, when they ended Bayern’s 11-year stranglehold on the title, but the absence of key players and a recent dip in form cast a long shadow over their prospects. For Bayern, the first-leg cushion offers breathing room, but they’ll be wary of complacency against a side that has proven capable of defying the odds.
And things got even worse for Die Werkself on Saturday when Granit Xhaka, Edmond Tapsoba, and Florian Wirtz were forced off with injuries in a disappointing 0-2 defeat to Werder Bremen at home. That loss was a bitter pill to swallow for Leverkusen, who had hoped to build momentum ahead of their European showdown. Instead, they were undone by a resilient Werder side, with Marvin Ducksch and Romano Schmid scoring in a match that saw Leverkusen’s usually fluid attack misfire. Xhaka, the midfield linchpin whose experience and leadership have been vital to Alonso’s system, limped off with a knock, while Tapsoba, a rock in central defense, joined him on the sidelines with a suspected muscle issue. Most devastating, however, was the sight of Florian Wirtz, Leverkusen’s talismanic playmaker, clutching his ankle after a challenge—subsequent reports confirmed a ligament injury that will sideline him for several weeks, ruling him out of Tuesday’s clash. The trio’s injuries compounded an already challenging week, turning a potential springboard into a stumble that has left fans and pundits questioning whether Leverkusen can muster the resolve to overturn Bayern’s lead. Reports suggest Xhaka and Tapsoba could recover in time, offering a glimmer of hope, but Wirtz’s absence is a seismic blow. The 21-year-old’s creativity and goal threat—he scored 11 times and provided 18 assists in last season’s title-winning campaign—have been central to Leverkusen’s identity, and without him, their attack risks looking toothless against Bayern’s formidable backline. Saturday’s defeat also dented their Bundesliga standing, allowing Bayern to maintain an eight-point lead at the top, further emphasizing the disparity between the two sides as they prepare for this pivotal encounter.
Bayern also suffered a shock loss at the weekend, as a second-string side squandered a 2-0 lead to lose 2-3 to VfL Bochum in a match that saw Joao Palhinha sent off in the first half. That result raised eyebrows across Germany, as Vincent Kompany opted to rest several key players—including Kane, Sané, and Joshua Kimmich—ahead of the Leverkusen rematch. Bayern raced into a two-goal lead through Michael Olise and an own goal, only to unravel after Palhinha’s red card left them with 10 men. Bochum capitalized with strikes from Takuma Asano, Keven Schlotterbeck, and a late winner from Kevin Stöger, exposing rare vulnerabilities in Bayern’s depleted lineup. While the loss ended Bayern’s unbeaten run in the Bundesliga, it’s unlikely to derail their confidence heading into Tuesday. Kompany’s decision to rotate was a calculated gamble, preserving his star players for the Champions League while testing the squad’s depth—a luxury Leverkusen, with their mounting injury list, can scarcely afford. Palhinha’s suspension means he’ll miss the second leg, potentially weakening Bayern’s midfield shield, but the return of their first-choice starters should more than compensate. The Bochum defeat, while a blemish, was softened by Leverkusen’s simultaneous stumble, ensuring Bayern’s eight-point cushion atop the Bundesliga remained intact. For Kompany, the weekend setback will serve as a wake-up call, but with a 3-0 lead in hand and a fully rested attacking core, Bayern remain overwhelming favorites to progress. Their ability to bounce back from domestic hiccups has been a hallmark of their season, and Leverkusen’s fragile state only bolsters their position.
But the fact that Leverkusen also lost must have made the defeat much easier to swallow for Bayern, who remain eight points clear of the champions at the top of the Bundesliga table. The symmetry of both teams dropping points over the weekend adds an intriguing layer to Tuesday’s clash, though Bayern’s superior resources and current form give them the upper hand. Leverkusen’s 3-0 deficit from the first leg is a steep hill to climb, made steeper by their injury woes and Bayern’s historical knack for closing out ties. The BayArena crowd will roar their team on, desperate for a repeat of last season’s heroics when Leverkusen went unbeaten in the Bundesliga, but Bayern’s pedigree in Europe—six Champions League titles and a relentless knockout-stage record—looms large. Leverkusen’s task is clear: score early to ignite belief, then sustain an onslaught against a Bayern defense that has conceded just five goals in nine European matches this term. Alonso will likely lean on returning veterans like Xhaka, whose combative presence could disrupt Bayern’s rhythm, and Tapsoba, whose aerial strength will be crucial against Kane. Without Wirtz, the burden falls on players like Jeremie Frimpong and Victor Boniface to unlock Bayern’s backline, a unit marshaled by Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae. Bayern, meanwhile, will look to Kane—who has 28 goals across all competitions this season—to exploit Leverkusen’s makeshift defense, while Sané and Müller probe for gaps. The weekend results may have leveled the psychological playing field slightly, but Bayern’s first-leg dominance and squad depth suggest they’re poised to finish the job, even if Leverkusen muster a spirited response.
Bayer Leverkusen will be without the long-term injured Jeanuel Belocian and Martin Terrier, as well as Nordi Mukiele, who is suspended after being sent off in the first leg, while Bayern face their own absences but retain a stronger hand. Leverkusen’s injury crisis has deepened at the worst possible moment, with Belocian (knee) and Terrier (ACL) already sidelined for months, and Mukiele’s red card in Munich ruling him out of the return leg. The potential return of Xhaka and Tapsoba offers some relief, but Wirtz’s absence leaves a gaping hole in midfield creativity, forcing Alonso to reshuffle his tactics. Bayern, by contrast, will miss Manuel Neuer, whose calf injury keeps Jonas Urbig in goal, and Aleksandar Pavlovic, sidelined by an infection, but their squad boasts enough quality to absorb these losses. Urbig, a promising deputy, held firm in the first leg, while Neuer’s absence hasn’t derailed Bayern’s European campaign thus far. Palhinha’s suspension opens the door for Leon Goretzka or Konrad Laimer to anchor midfield alongside Kimmich, ensuring Bayern’s engine room remains robust. Up top, Kane, Sané, and Müller—rested against Bochum—will return with fresh legs, supported by Olise and Serge Gnabry off the bench. Leverkusen’s depleted ranks face a Bayern side that, even without its full complement, exudes confidence and cohesion. As the BayArena braces for a night of high stakes, Leverkusen’s dream of a Champions League miracle feels distant, while Bayern’s path to the quarter-finals appears all but assured—barring an extraordinary collapse.
