Defending champion Bayer Leverkusen knows it will have to be close to the best to catch leader Bayern Munich as the Bundesliga returns from a three-week winter break.
Four distances from Bayern with 15 games out of 34 played, Leverkusen reopens its name crusade on Friday against Borussia Dortmund.
Unbeaten in La Liga and Copa del Rey last season, Xabi Alonso’s side stumbled at the start of the season as they struggled to shake off the hangover from the name.
But a streak of 8 direct victories, adding Bayern’s elimination from the German Cup, puts Leverkusen on track to confirm and repeat the heroic acts of last season.
“It’s a wonderful first game for us. Playing the first game of the year in Dortmund is a great motivation,” Alonso said.
“We’ve had time to prepare and we expect a top game tomorrow against a top opponent.”
Champions League finalists in June, Dortmund are sixth and have struggled this season as they adjust to new coach Nuri Sahin amid an injury crisis.
Alonso, who knows Sahin from their time playing together at Real Madrid, said he was “looking forward to seeing him again”.
“We’ve seen Dortmund’s development (under Sahin). At home they’re very strong. They play well, both individually and collectively.
“We need our best game. We need a good mentality and stability. We need almost a perfect performance.”
With four numbers discarded, Dortmund is the best-performing team in the league at home, although they have won one of their seven away games.
Sahin congratulated his counterpart: “As Xabi Alonso is the coach there, we have the feeling that Leverkusen have everything. “
Leverkusen’s title win was particularly painful for Dortmund, who consider themselves Bayern’s main challegers and have finished second seven times in the past 12 years.
“Leverkusen have made it where we want to be,” Sahin admitted, but added: “And where we will be, we just need some time.”
Bayern restart the season away at long-time rivals Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Gladbach may not have won a league name since dominating the 1970s alongside Bayern, but they have proven to be more than a handful for the German giants in recent seasons.
Bayern have won 3 of their last 11 games in Gladbach, adding a surprise 5-0 in the German Cup in 2021, their biggest defeat in more than 4 decades.
Gladbach defender Joe Scally told AFP and other media on Tuesday Bayern were “arguably the best team in the world”.
“Games like these provide immense motivation and we seem to have nothing to lose. “
LOOK: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
Impressive since arriving at Bayern Munich in summer, Michael Olise’s numbers are finally matching his eye-catching performances.
Including a brace in Monday’s 6-0 thumping of Red Bull Salzburg in a warm-up fixture, Olise has four goals and five assists in his past seven Bayern games.
Olise’s attacking creativity has been welcome for a Bayern side overly reliant on Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala up front.
With flu-hit Musiala doubtful for Saturday’s game against Borussia Moenchengladbach and Kane returning from a hamstring injury, Olise will be key.
KEY STATS
0 – With two 1-1 draws, Dortmund were the only side in the Bundesliga not to lose to champions Bayer Leverkusen last season.
Nine – Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick has nine goals in his past five league fixtures.
Calendar
Friday
Borussia Dortmund v Bayer Leverkusen
SATURDAY
St Pauli vs Eintracht Frankfurt, Freiburg vs Holstein Kiel, Hoffenheim vs Wolfsburg, Mainz vs Bochum, Heidenheim vs Union Berlin, Borussia Moenchengladbach vs Bayern Munich
Sunday
RB Leipzig v Werder Bremen, Augsburg v Stuttgart
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