You know how it is: There’s a Bundesliga team that plays really well, annoys Bayern and has a sniff of the championship trophy – and then the Munich team comes in a direct duel and hits the table. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is also hoping for this Bayern factor when the record champions visit Leverkusen on Saturday (6:30 p.m., live in the sport.de ticker).
“Well, the roles are clearly assigned this time: Leverkusen is in pole position with a two-point lead. We have to try to win the game and under no circumstances should we lose!” said Bayern Eminence Rummenigge in an interview with the Munich newspaper ” Evening News”.
Leverkusen played “an incredibly stable and confident season, coupled with attractive football,” he paid tribute to the Werkself.
“I therefore expect a difficult game, but FC Bayern is known for being ready on the spot in such games,” sent Rummenigge a warning to the Rhine.
A win against Leverkusen, who are still unbeaten, would not only give Bayern the lead in the table – according to Rummenigge, a three-pointer would also be a very important signal. “That would be an important signal for us – but also for the entire Bundesliga that we are aiming for the twelfth championship in a row,” said the Munich supervisory board.
FC Bayern: Rummenigge ennobles “conductor” Alonso
After 20 Bundesliga matchdays, Leverkusen is two points ahead of the defending champions with 52 points. Bayern and Bayer drew 2-2 in the first leg at the Allianz Arena.
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso’s development “doesn’t surprise him in any way,” said Rummenigge and revealed a plan from the 2018/19 season. “I also wanted to get him as an assistant coach, but unfortunately that didn’t work out at the time.” The Spaniard was already “the conductor” on the pitch as a player.
Alonso played for Bayern from 2014 to 2017 and won the German championship three times.
“He trained with the best coaches, from Jupp Heynckes to Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti – and intelligent as he is, he obviously bundled and saved this experience,” praised Rummenigge. He can only “take his hat off to what he has done to Bayer.”