In Leverkusen, Germany, soccer enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches in one of Europe’s most vibrant rivalries. This week marks the fourth and fifth encounters this season between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, as they clash in the Champions League round of 16.
Bayer Leverkusen is preparing for the challenge, aiming to interrupt the successful inaugural season of Bayern’s coach, Vincent Kompany. As Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong expressed in a recent interview, these encounters are always significant and intense.
The two teams have already faced each other three times this season. Leverkusen eliminated Bayern from the German Cup, while two draws in the Bundesliga have allowed Bayern to edge closer to reclaiming the Bundesliga title from Leverkusen, who seized it last season in a surprising victory.
Their last meeting, less than three weeks ago, ended in a tense 0-0 draw. During that match, Xabi Alonso’s tactical prowess saw Leverkusen keeping Bayern’s forwards at bay, even as they missed several opportunities to score. Despite the frequency of these meetings, Frimpong maintains enthusiasm, underscoring the excitement of facing Bayern Munich again in such a prestigious competition.
Under Xabi Alonso’s leadership for the past two and a half years, Leverkusen has transformed from a struggling squad into a team known for late goals and being challenging opponents. Alonso’s personal track record against Bayern Munich is impressive, remaining unbeaten with three victories and three draws across all competitions, often relying on unexpected tactical innovations.
However, Frimpong remains modest about the significance of Alonso’s unbeaten record against their fierce rivals, acknowledging that each new match could shift the balance. “It’s nice to say, but for me personally, it’s nothing,” he stated. “They could beat us, and then it’s like, ‘Oh.’”
