Bayer Leverkusen, the reigning Bundesliga champions, face a crucial clash against league leaders Bayern Munich on Saturday evening. The highly anticipated fixture, kicking off at 5:30 pm, could be pivotal in determining the title race's trajectory. Bayern Munich currently sit eight points clear at the top of the table, having maintained an impressive seven-game winning streak under the management of Vincent Kompany. Meanwhile, Leverkusen aim to retain their title, knowing that a defeat could significantly hinder their chances.
Leverkusen have not managed to defeat Bayern Munich since 2022, adding pressure to their upcoming encounter. Xabi Alonso's squad recently stumbled to a goalless draw against Wolfsburg, emphasizing the necessity for a flawless performance against Bayern. Granit Xhaka, a key player for Leverkusen, remains optimistic about the team's strength and mentality, highlighting the importance of their collective effort.
"We know where we are, we know the position we are in. We are looking forward to this game, not just for us, but I think all of Germany is very excited about watching the game. You can't always have a season like we did last year, you have that once! We have to face the reality and be honest with ourselves. Eight points sounds like a lot, but it's only three games. The first game will be on Saturday, against a direct opponent, we have to win and then we'll see." – Granit Xhaka
Xhaka also commended Florian Wirtz, describing him as an "unbelievably" talented player who has been crucial for Leverkusen. However, he stressed that the team cannot rely solely on Wirtz's abilities and must demonstrate their collective qualities to succeed.
"We all know about Flo's quality. He's a very creative player, can beat a man one versus one, he can play a great pass, but we can't be reliant on one player. We all have our qualities and we have to show them, which we have done well over the last few years." – Granit Xhaka
On the other hand, Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry believes Leverkusen's mentality is a key factor in their success, acknowledging their strong bond and confidence following last season's triumph.
"I think it's a mentality thing. They've grown strong. Obviously they have a lot of confidence now after last season – deservedly so. Obviously also some great players. Flo Wirtz is playing unbelievably. They look like they have a strong bond in the team and they always want to win as well, which they did last season. I think it gives them a lot of confidence to grow. That's what makes them so strong. For sure now it's a very decisive game, also for the outcome of the rest of the season." – Serge Gnabry
As Leverkusen prepare for this significant challenge, Xhaka emphasizes the importance of their home performance and determination to secure all three points.
"It's always a special game against Bayern Munich, you know the players, you know what kind of a club they are, but they also know where we are strong. At home, in particular, we have shown in the last five games that we can make it difficult for anyone, including Bayern Munich, and we will do the same on Saturday to make sure we can take all three points. We need to have a great day, we need a perfect day to beat this team, but I am convinced that we will be able to do this." – Granit Xhaka
Bayern Munich's success under Kompany has been attributed to their solid defensive strategies and cohesive team spirit, as noted by Gnabry.
"Whenever he has something he thinks could be better or different in that way, he says it to you. He doesn't hold back, which I think is a very good thing. It's very important to him, the defensive side. So, I think also for us as strikers, having to press, trying to get the ball back as quickly as possible, is a good thing. And for sure he kind of brought us very close together as a team, as a squad. I think we have a great spirit right now." – Serge Gnabry
The upcoming showdown promises to be an enthralling contest with significant implications for both teams' aspirations this season.
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