Under new coach Gerardo Seoane, Bayer Leverkusen have made a very successful start to the season and can take over first place with a win on Sunday in the top match against Bayern. The Werkself is already top in some very special areas.
The two teams that prove to be particularly determined near the opponent’s goal will meet at the BayArena on Sunday. Leverkusen needed an average of only 4.8 shots on goal per goal this season, Bayern 5.4. No other Bundesliga team has such a good ratio as the two top clubs.
The top match in Leverkusen will also see the two outstanding solo artists in the league so far, who most often look for the dribble. Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby has so far launched 43 solo efforts, Alphonso Davis 40. The Leverkusener’s success rate is 51 per cent, the Bayern pro’s a strong 75 per cent.
The two top teams in the league are also top in terms of the number of minutes in which they have been in the lead this season. In this area, the Werkself has even surpassed the industry leader. Bayer Leverkusen have been in front for 410 minutes this season, which is the best way in the league, followed by Bayern with 349 minutes.
And by the way, the two teams that have played the fewest fouls so far will meet in Leverkusen: Bayern currently have 57 fouls, Leverkusen 62. In addition, there is a curious record: Bayer Leverkusen have fought the fewest duels in the league so far, namely only 701.
History: Bayer have not won a “top game” for 24 years
Of course, Bayer likes to remember particularly spectacular victories over their old adversary, such as on 1 November 1986, when Christian Hausmann played the game of his life in Munich. The quick-as-an-arrow striker put Bayern under enormous pressure and scored to make it 2-0; Falko Götz had scored the lead earlier and was also responsible for the 3-0 final score. “That,” Hausmann cheered at the time, “was a great day for all of us.”
On 9 March 1997, another Leverkusen player had a sensational day and even gave the German record champions three goals. Coach Christoph Daum surprisingly ordered Markus Feldhoff into the starting eleven, and the striker experienced his personal finest hour with three goals in a 5:2 win. With that, Leverkusen caused Bayern’s only defeat in 1996/97, but the championship trophy still went to Munich.
However, this was the Werkself’s last success over Bayern to date when both were in the top three of the league. That moment of glory was 24 years ago, since when Leverkusen have never won against Bayern when both teams were in the top three.
Zé Roberto praises Leverkusen – and bets more on Bayern
And who is favourite this time? “Neither team,” thinks Zé Roberto, who used to play for both clubs. The Brazilian bets on a “draw or a Bayern win”, but praises Leverkusen in the highest terms: “I like Leverkusen’s courageous, fast, offensive game. I really enjoy Bayer, and that’s also due to coach Seoane, who lets them play courageously,” said Zé Roberto in an interview with kicker (Thursday edition).
Finally, let’s take a look at the figures: In the previous season, this duel between first and second was in reverse order. Bayern won 2-1 at unbeaten league leader Leverkusen on matchday 13 and took the top spot. Leverkusen slipped slightly and finished the season in 6th place.