leverkusen Vs Wolfsburg

Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to extend their winning streak to three matches when they face Wolfsburg at the BayArena this Sunday in what will be their fourth Bundesliga fixture of the 2024-2025 season. After a commanding 4-0 victory over Feyenoord in the Champions League last Thursday, Xabi Alonso’s men are riding high on confidence and form. They currently sit in fifth place in the Bundesliga table with six points, and a win against Wolfsburg would be another step towards consolidating their strong start to the season. Wolfsburg, on the other hand, have had a less than ideal beginning, managing just one win in their first three league outings and occupying the 13th position with three points. They come into this match following a narrow 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on September 14, which only added to the frustrations of their coach, Ralph Hasenhüttl.

Thursday's triumph in the Champions League marked Bayer Leverkusen’s return to the prestigious European competition after a brief absence, and they made a bold statement with their performance against Dutch champions Feyenoord. The German side raced into a 4-0 lead by halftime, completely overwhelming their opponents. The star of the show was undoubtedly Florian Wirtz, who scored two of the goals, including an early strike just five minutes into the match. Wirtz’s opener was a moment of brilliance, as he drove forward with purpose, maneuvered towards the edge of the penalty area, and unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom-right corner of the net. His second goal came later in the half, rounding off an impressive individual display that left fans and pundits alike singing his praises.

Leverkusen's performance was praised for its tactical precision and ruthlessness, with Alonso lauding his team's "serious" and "efficient" approach. The tactical flexibility that Alonso has instilled in his players was on full display, as Leverkusen managed to shift between formations and styles of play throughout the match. This ability to adapt and exploit Feyenoord's weaknesses was a key factor in their dominance.

Leverkusen’s exceptional form isn’t confined to the Champions League. In their last Bundesliga outing on September 14, they produced a commanding 4-1 victory over Hoffenheim. Leverkusen's control of the game was evident, with 60% possession and five clear-cut chances created. The match was a clear indicator of how well-rounded Alonso's team has become, as they restricted Hoffenheim to just one big chance throughout the 90 minutes. 

This offensive sharpness has been a hallmark of Leverkusen's early-season form. Across all competitions, they have scored an impressive 16 goals in just six matches. In the Bundesliga alone, they have been one of the most dangerous teams in front of goal. Leverkusen leads the league in several key offensive metrics, including the number of touches in the opposition's penalty area, the creation of big chances, and expected goals (xG). Their ability to consistently threaten the opposition's goal has made them one of the most feared attacking teams in the Bundesliga this season.

Florian Wirtz has been central to this attacking prowess, but he has not been alone. Leverkusen's attacking unit, which includes the likes of Moussa Diaby and new signing Victor Boniface, has been in scintillating form. Diaby, known for his blistering pace and technical ability, has provided crucial width and creativity on the flanks, while Boniface has added a new dimension to their forward play with his physical presence and hold-up ability. Together, they form a dynamic and fluid attack that has been too much for most opponents to handle so far.

While Leverkusen have been electric going forward, Alonso will have some concerns about his team’s defensive record. They have conceded seven goals in their last six matches, which is a figure that Alonso will be keen to improve. The team has managed only five clean sheets in their last 16 competitive matches, highlighting a potential vulnerability at the back. 

Alonso is known for his emphasis on balance, and although his side’s offensive capabilities are well-documented, he will be working hard to tighten up the defensive unit. Leverkusen’s ability to dominate possession and create chances has often masked their defensive frailties, but against stronger opposition, these weaknesses could be exposed.

The match against Wolfsburg presents an opportunity for Leverkusen to test their defensive solidity. Wolfsburg, despite their poor form, have players capable of punishing any lapses at the back. Alonso will be keen to ensure that his team remains focused and disciplined, particularly in transition, where they have been caught out on occasion.

Wolfsburg have had a challenging start to the season under new head coach Ralph Hasenhüttl. The Austrian tactician, who was appointed in the summer, has found it difficult to instill consistency in his side. The Wolves have lost two of their three Bundesliga matches so far and have looked vulnerable defensively. In their most recent match, a 2-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt, they allowed their opponents to create four big chances and take 14 shots, two of which hit the woodwork. 

Hasenhüttl was visibly frustrated after the Frankfurt match, particularly with the decision to award a late penalty to the Eagles, which ultimately proved to be the winning goal. In his post-match interview, he lamented the referee’s decision, calling it "difficult to accept." However, while the penalty was certainly contentious, it was Wolfsburg's overall defensive performance that will be of greater concern to Hasenhüttl. His team has already conceded 42 shots in just three Bundesliga games, and they rank among the teams with the highest expected goals against (xGA) in the league.

Defensive issues aside, Wolfsburg have shown flashes of promise, particularly in their opening match of the season against Bayern Munich. Although they lost 2-1, they made life difficult for the reigning champions and created several chances of their own. Hasenhüttl will be hoping to tap into that fighting spirit when they take on Leverkusen, but consistency remains the key challenge for the Wolves.

Wolfsburg’s recent form in the Bundesliga has been underwhelming. Since the start of 2024, the club has struggled to find any kind of momentum, winning just five of their last 22 league fixtures. During that period, they have suffered 11 defeats and drawn six times, a record that underscores the scale of the task facing Hasenhüttl. The Wolves have lacked a cutting edge in the final third, and their defensive vulnerabilities have compounded their problems.

Despite these struggles, there are reasons for optimism. Wolfsburg have a number of talented players, including striker Lukas Nmecha and winger Ridle Baku, both of whom are capable of producing moments of magic. Nmecha, in particular, will be looking to rediscover his goal-scoring form, having endured a tough start to the season. Baku’s pace and trickery on the wings could also pose problems for Leverkusen’s defense, especially if they are allowed space to exploit on the counter-attack.

The clash between Leverkusen and Wolfsburg on Sunday will not only be a test of the players on the pitch but also a tactical battle between two astute managers. Alonso, still early in his managerial career, has quickly built a reputation as a tactically versatile coach who isn’t afraid to make bold decisions. His team’s ability to switch between different systems and playing styles has been one of their biggest strengths this season.

Hasenhüttl, on the other hand, is a seasoned campaigner known for his high-pressing style and ability to get the best out of underperforming teams. However, he is still in the process of shaping this Wolfsburg side in his image, and it will likely take time for his ideas to fully take root. The match against Leverkusen presents a significant challenge for the Austrian coach, but it also offers an opportunity to demonstrate that his team is moving in the right direction.Given the contrasting fortunes of the two sides, Leverkusen will go into the match as strong favorites. Their attacking firepower, combined with Wolfsburg's defensive frailties, suggests that the hosts could well find the back of the net multiple times. However, Alonso will be wary of complacency, especially after Wolfsburg's spirited performance against Bayern earlier in the season. 

For Wolfsburg, the key will be in their defensive organization and their ability to hit Leverkusen on the counter-attack. Hasenhüttl's side may not dominate possession, but if they can remain disciplined at the back and take advantage of any mistakes from their opponents, they could cause an upset.

As the match approaches, all eyes will be on Florian Wirtz and whether he can continue his fine form. Wirtz has been one of the standout players in Europe this season, and his creativity and goal-scoring ability could prove decisive once again.

In the end, Sunday’s game promises to be an intriguing contest between two sides with very different ambitions this season. Leverkusen will be looking to establish themselves as title contenders, while Wolfsburg are desperate to climb out of the lower half of the table.