Perfect start to the season with a provisional lead in the table: After the next gala performance, Bayer Leverkusen are heading to the top game at FC Bayern Munich with a lot of momentum.
Successful coach Xabi Alonso sent kisses in the direction of the stands, the pros around the reserved exceptional striker Victor Boniface were celebrated by the fans. Dream start successful – but von title ambitions wants to Bayer Leverkusen after the next gala performance, nobody really knows anything. At least not before the really big position determination: After the international break, the top game is in Munich with record champions FC Bayern.
Xhaka: “Want to know where we really stand”
“We can play freely and want to score points – even against such a strong team. We want to see where we really stand,” said Bayer midfield leader Granit Xhaka after the dominant 5-1 (1-1) against promoted Darmstadt 98 with a view to that Duel with Bayern.
The game with the record champions has often been such a location determination for the Werkself in recent years – mostly with a sobering ending. “But this time I have the feeling that we are very solid,” said defender Jonathan Tah, who played eight times in Munich with Bayer and lost six times: “The team has changed. They have more experience. We have a lot of self-confidence, And that’s exactly what we’re allowed to have. That’s why we naturally have the right to win there as well.”
Newcomer Boniface the guarantee of success
The greater awe currently seems to be with Munich, where coach Thomas Tuchel said after the 2-1 win in Mönchengladbach: “It will definitely be a chunk”.
Bayer only started the season that well in 2003 and 2013 with nine points from three games. Last year there were even three defeats at the same time. Newcomer Boniface, currently one of the biggest attractions in the Bundesliga, has a significant share in the current success. He scored his second brace in a row (21st/61st) against the Lilien and has been involved in six of the eleven Bayer goals so far.
“I can’t believe it to be honest,” said the 22-year-old, who was called up for the Nigerian national team for the first time during the week. After his goal to make it 3:1, the sold-out arena chanted his name. “I’m very happy with my performance and that of the team. It’s very important to win games like this.” Boniface seems to feel comfortable under Alonso: “The coach deserves the greatest praise. It feels like we’ve been playing together forever.”
Alonso: “Boniface is complete”
Boniface “doesn’t play like a classic bomber, he’s complete,” said Alonso: “We still expect a lot from him.” Xhaka described his beefy assault tank as “a down-to-earth boy hungry for goals and success.” He makes “the team better.”
Good transfers, breadth in the squad. Leverkusen has grown a lot during the summer break and has developed into a serious contender for the title. The strong Argentinian world champion Exequiel Palacios (49th), international Jonas Hofmann with his debut goal (67th) and Adam Hlozek (83rd) deservedly increased the result against Darmstadt.
Tah: “Play adult soccer”
“We’re doing really well, playing very maturely footballvery clear, our idea comes across,” said Tah, who is also symbolic of Bayer’s upswing and was called up to the DFB squad for the first time in a long time.
So international break. Then it goes to the master, to the absolute top game. “We’re having a good moment. The next game is a big challenge but we have a lot of confidence,” said Alonso.
The Werkself have never had four wins at the start of the season. This premiere could make one dream of another – as is well known, Leverkusen are still missing the championship.
