FC Bayern or Bayer Leverkusen, who does the title race in the Bundesliga? Two experts agree on this question.
“Bayern will no longer take the championship, the delle in autumn Leverkusen most likely cost the title defense,” wrote former Munich Thomas Helmer in a “kicker” column.
Even for cult coach Peter Neururer, the question no longer arises, although the hot season phase is still coming. “The championship should actually have already been awarded this year,” the 69-year-old stated in a contribution to the portal “bettfreunde.net”.
FC Bayern’s lead to pursuer Bayer Leverkusen is eight points. The Werkself was “very, very stable” and played “great football”, praised Neururer, but the trail is “a bit watered down”.
In his opinion, Bayer is already concentrating on the upcoming duels in the Champions League round of 16 with FC Bayern. Meanwhile, the German record champion is “more than sovereign” at the top of the table, says Neururer.
FC Bayern vs. Bayer Leverkusen: “Close matter” in the CL?
Helmer expects a “close affair in the direct exchange of blows of the two teams, which could give us an extension or even a penalty shootout in the second leg”.
The 1996 European champion added: “A forecast of whoever progresses is difficult, also because the two games in the Bundesliga were far too different. Once the Bavarians dominated, most recently Leverkusen, in the end there was a draw.”
He was “excited” on the tactical trick with which Leverkusen’s success coach Xabi Alonso sends his team into the first leg against FC Bayern. “I think he will do without Patrik Schick again in Munich,” said Helmer.
For FC Bayern, a Champions League-Ko would “of course be stupid, it is also about prestige,” wrote Helmer. “It would be disappointing for them if they couldn’t crack Bayer Leverkusen again, championship, championship.”