Record runs on the line as Bayern host Bayer Leverkusen

The last two Bundesliga champions meet at the Allianz Arena on Saturday as Bayern welcome Bayer Leverkusen in a match where record runs are on the line (kick-off at 18:30 CET, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and free web radio). Both teams come into the game in top form. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the clash in our preview.

Latest news from Bayern

“There’s no tougher period,” said Vincent Kompany of Bayern’s current schedule, with Wednesday’s DFB Cup knockout tie in Cologne, Saturday’s big Bundesliga match and then next Tuesday’s visit to Paris in the Champions League. It’s three games in the space of seven days, including two away from home. It means recovery between matches will be key, “but we’re used to it”, the Belgian assured the media on Friday. It also changes nothing in terms of goals. “We still want to win,” Kompany insisted.

His team did just that once again during the week, coming from behind to win 4-1 at Köln and advance to the round of 16 in the domestic cup. On top of that, it was Bayern’s 14th straight win since the start of the season, setting a new all-time record among Europe’s top five leagues.

Read up on the facts ahead of the game:

Bayern obviously want to keep that run going as the Werkself come to town now, but there’s some added spice to the game given the title battles of the past two years. “The rivalry is still there,” Kompany said of the fixture. Even though Leverkusen begin the weekend in fifth place, the boss insists that his team will by no means underestimate their opponents. “We’re playing at home and have full confidence in our players. It’s still football; there are no guarantees. But we feel that we can produce a performance and win,” the 39-year-old stated.

Get more from Kompany at the pre-match press conference here:

Opponent: Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen’s fixture list has been just as clogged as Bayern’s. They even played 30 minutes more during the week, needing extra-time to beat second division Paderborn 4-2 in the DFB Cup. “Obviously the game on Wednesday went on longer than we wanted, but we’ve recovered well and have a good, deep squad,” said coach Kasper Hjulmand. He now wants his team to build on their impressive recent Bundesliga displays that have seen the Werkself earn 16 of a possible 18 points since the Dane took over in September. “We’re going to Munich to play a super game. We’re ready for a top performance, which we’ll need to get a result,” he added.

Take a closer look at Leverkusen here:

Things were very different at the BayArena before then. After a transfer window that saw a good half a dozen key players leave, the club made a sluggish start to the season and dismissed new coach Erik ten Hag after just two months at the helm. “Leverkusen have reached top form under the new coach. They lost a lot of talent but have also brought a lot in,” Kompany explained. Hjulmand has also been able to build on a solid foundation from his two predecessors in the job, extending Leverkusen’s unbeaten run away from home in the Bundesliga to a record 37 matches. That streak will now be put to the test in Munich against a Bayern side in record-setting form themselves. “Bayern have started really well in all competitions and possess a lot of quality, but no team is unbeatable. I firmly believe it’s possible for us to get something out of the game,” Hjulmand insisted.

Team news

Kompany had no new updates to report since the Köln game. Only Manuel Neuer returns to the fold following his suspension in the cup. Alphonso Davies (cruciate ligament), Hiroki Ito (metatarsal) and Jamal Musiala (foot/ankle) remain the only injury absentees.

Leverkusen’s injury list includes Exequiel Palacios, Ezequiel Fernández, Nathan Tella, Axel Tape and Lucas Vázquez. Former Bayern youngster Malik Tillman could potentially return, depending on how he fares in training, according to Hjulmand.

Put your knowledge to the test in our matchday quiz:

What the coaches say