Leverkusen, Dortmund, Leipzig: After the draw in the Bundesliga top game, Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel reiterated his expectations of a close title race. The new league leaders Leverkusen now enjoy their role as challengers.
In the 2-2 draw in the top game on Saturday evening (September 30th, 2023) at RB Leipzig, FC Bayern made up a 2-0 deficit. Nevertheless, it wasn’t enough for Munich to win in the second top duel of the season. The Munich team had previously only played 2-2 against Bayer Leverkusen. If you add the 3-0 loss against Leipzig in the Supercup, FC Bayern are even at zero out of three in previous direct comparisons with one of the challengers.
Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig are clearly capable of winning the title, Tuchel said after the 2-2 draw in Leipzig and that they will play for first place until the end. “They are playing very well at the moment, are very dangerous and successful.”
New excitement in the Bundesliga – four-way battle for the title?
If you add Borussia Dortmund, the regular challenger who gave up the championship trophy on the last match day of the previous season, you suddenly have a possible four-way battle for the title.
A constellation that seems completely new for the Bundesliga; in the years of long-term rule by the eleven-time series champion, only Borussia Dortmund had recently dared to publicly formulate their own ambitions for the title.
Increased competition, but also Bayern’s weakness
The fact that the Munich team may have to deal with two or even three serious competitors this season is, at least in Joshua Kimmich’s opinion, not necessarily due to the strength of the opponents, but rather to their own vulnerability. “We invite them and give them food to get into the game,” said Kimmich after the game in Leipzig, in which Bayern at least made a comeback.
The coach also complained about a “lack of bite” and “individual sloppy behavior”, similar failures had almost cost the Munich team the title in the late phase of last season. In view of the increased competition, Tuchel also gave the motto that “we look primarily at ourselves, we have to go our own way”.
In the table, after matchday 6 and before the international break, FC Bayern are only in the chasing role, two points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
The Leverkusen team, who weren’t necessarily seen as number one challengers before the season, showed in their win in Mainz that they don’t necessarily outplay their opponents every week, but can also win games with patience and efficiency. A quality that is said to exist in real top teams.
Leverkusen confident: “We have incredible potential”
While people in Dortmund are arguing about the performances they have shown so far and the coach has already been discussed, the Leverkusen team has taken a liking to their new role as title candidates after their picture-perfect start. “A lot is possible,” said offensive player Jonas Hofmann. “We have incredible potential.”
Leverkusen’s sports director Simon Rolfes also spoke in ZDF’s “Aktuelle Sportstudio” about the new tension at the top of the table. “I think every football fan in Germany is happy when things get close for a long time in the Bundesliga,” said Rolfes. But there are still 28 match days on the program.