And again, the opponent is FC Bayern. In Leverkusen, they are deliberately relaxed about the round of 16 draw in the Champions League. Managing Director Simon Rolfes diplomatically praises the quality of the Munich team, but also makes psychological pinpricks.
Simon Rolfes was in good humor as he addressed the waiting journalists at the BayArena after the draw for the knockout phase of the Champions League. “Andi Möller would probably have said: Munich or Madrid – as long as it’s Italy,” the managing director noted with a smile, “for us it was clear that a top opponent was waiting.”
The fact that the team is not the top favorite Real Madrid, but only FC Bayern Munich, did not seem to affect the 43-year-old’s mood. And why should he? Bayer has not lost to the record champions in the last six league and DFB Cup games. Bayer has every reason to be confident – and FC Bayern has good reason to fear suffering Bayer trauma in yet another competition after their DFB Cup exit at the hands of Xabi Alonso’s team.
To begin with, Rolfes, ever the diplomat, pointed out the special nature of the competition. “The Champions League, with its two legs, is a different kettle of fish again to a cup tie and a Bundesliga game,” explained the manager, who was not willing to let his team be cast in the role of favorites either. ‘Both teams have shown that they are top-notch. It’s going to be a close game,’ said Rolfes, ”I don’t think there is necessarily a favorite.”
Not necessarily, but at least from a psychological point of view it is for the double winners. Rolfes explained: “We have shown in recent years that we have quality, which Bayern also have historically, of course, but we have shown in recent duels that we are a team that can absolutely compete at this level. We want to show that again in the last sixteen.”
Rolfes sees advantage in home field advantage for the second leg
The former pro is not bothered by the early domestic clash (“It’s not a problem for me”). He views home advantage in the second leg as helpful: “Without the away goals rule, the second leg at home is a slight advantage because it often goes into extra time,” says Rolfes.
He does not, however, cite Munich’s recent, rather mediocre performances as a factor. You don’t have to provoke the opponent unnecessarily. So Rolfes explains, despite Leverkusen’s demonstration of power in the 0-0 draw against the record champions on Saturday: “Bayern have a lot of quality. I don’t think that these performances are particularly meaningful. In a knockout game, it’s the moment that counts, not what happens two days before or after.”
Nevertheless, Rolfes is making subtle comments. ‘I believe that we were not only very dominant in the 0-0 this year. We also showed that last year in the home game. We know that we have the quality to beat Bayern. And so do Bayern,’ says the managing director.
He sees Bayer 04 as at least on a par with Munich: “Nevertheless, we have great respect for Bayern because they are a top team,” he says, but emphasizes: “There is respect on both sides. In the pronounced form, that might not have been the case ten years ago, but it certainly is at the moment.”
So no advantage from the impression of the unequal duel a few days ago? Rolfes says no, but somehow yes. “I don’t think it’s an advantage. The teams are too close in quality for that. It depends on the form on the day,” he explains, but adds: “But I would say that we are going into the last sixteen with a good feeling.” Quite unlike FC Bayern.
