The Bundesliga's two biggest hitters have been pitted against each other in Europe, but it's Leverkusen who will have the psychological edge
There is no shortage of narrative across an intriguing Champions League last-16 draw, but arguably the most compelling storyline is set to unfold in an all-Bundesliga clash that sees Germany's two strongest teams pitted against one another: it's Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen.
In domestic terms, this is the unstoppable force hurtling towards the immovable object; Bayern are well on course to wrestle back their Bundesliga crown from Leverkusen under Vincent Kompany, but Xabi Alonso's men have a knack of halting them and prolific frontman Harry Kane in their tracks, if only for 90 minutes.
In the Champions League knockout arena, something's got to give. If Bayern, Kane and Co. want to prove their credentials as Germany's best team, they will have to overcome their bogey side on the biggest stage…
Getty Images SportBayern's Bayer struggles
Bayern have found Alonso's Leverkusen an incredibly tough nut to crack since the legendary ex- Spain midfielder was named their head coach in October 2022 – an appointment that ironically came just days after his predecessor Gerardo Seone was sacked in the wake of a 4-0 rout at the hands of Die Roten in Munich. That thumping victory almost two-and-a-half years ago remains Bayern's most recent over Die Werkself.
It's safe to say that Alonso has had their number, having guided Leverkusen to three victories and three draws so far against sides managed by Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel and Kompany – including a scintillating 3-0 demolition of the serial Bundesliga winners on their way to ending Bayern's era of dominance last season.
The two clubs have already met three times in 2024-25 and, despite Bayern's resurgence, Leverkusen have held Kompany's men to two league draws either side of beating them 1-0 at the Allianz Arena in the DFB-Pokal, although the hosts played most of that game with 10 men.
In their most recent meeting, a goalless league draw in February, Bayern were restricted to just two shots on target – their lowest total in a Bundesliga match in
AdvertisementGetty Images SportBundesliga revenge
Bayern have, at least, restored the status quo domestically as this mouth-watering two-legged European tie looms, back at the top of the pile in the Bundesliga with a healthy eight-point advantage over Alonso's side in second. But their head-to-head record against Leverkusen shows that they certainly haven't got there by putting the champions back in their place. Despite a ridiculous 22-game unbeaten run that stretches back to the end of August, Die Werkself are adrift because they have thrown too many points away in their eight drawn matches.
In fact, both teams have only lost once all season in the league, but it's Bayern's ability to find a way to win under Kompany that has set them apart; since their solitary defeat to Mainz back in December, the Bavarians have won nine and drawn just once, at the BayArena. Leverkusen, meanwhile, have drawn three of their last six Bundesliga games.
However, Alonso's side have demonstrated in their meetings with Bayern that they can render that form meaningless and nullify their rivals' electric attack, which could be invaluable in the European knockout arena.
AFPKane's kryptonite
Kane is one player who can certainly vouch for just how hard it is to play against Leverkusen's backline. The prolific Englishman has only scored one goal in four games against Alonso's men, which came way back at the start of the 2023-24 campaign.
That might not seem like such a bad goals-per-game ratio, but when you consider that he has netted 73 times in less than two seasons in Germany, the fact that just one of those strikes has come against Die Werkself becomes more significant; this is a fixture he struggles in.
Defenders Jonathan Tah, Edmond Tapsoba and Piero Hincapie will certainly feel that they have the mental edge following the shutout in February, with the likes of Kane and Jamal Musiala successfully man-marked out of the game – something they will certainly look to repeat in Wednesday's first leg. The England captain even drew media criticism for his display against them for the second time this season.
Kane was injured for the Pokal loss in December, but his inability to find the net in last month's league clash has clearly had some effect, as he has endured an uncharacteristic goal drought in the three games since, and now they are set to meet again. Bayern will need him firing if they are to overcome their bogey team.
Getty Images SportWirtz wars
One interesting subplot is Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz lining up against his transfer suitors on the biggest stage in European club football. Bayern are absolutely determined to sign the attacking midfielder despite his €150 million (£124m/$155m) valuation, and have gone very public with their pursuit.
Speaking recently, their former player and CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who sits on the club's supervisory board, said: "Everyone at FC Bayern agrees that he is exactly the player we want to sign. Not to weaken Leverkusen, but to strengthen us. Wirtz is the best player in Germany."
Bayern don't own the 21-year-old yet, though, and he will be out to hurt them across the two legs. Wirtz is a bona fide big-game player, having already demonstrated his pedigree in this season's Champions League with six goals in eight appearances to date. Indeed, Wirtz might just be the best No.10 on the planet right now. He already has 28 goal contributions in all competitions with more than two months of the season to play.
Will this be an audition, or will he snub Bayern in favour of staying at the BayArena or perhaps a move abroad? Time will tell, but he will be determined to make an impression.