Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen have wrapped up Saturday’s top match in the Bundesliga at all levels, but head into next week’s UEFA Champions League matches knowing things could get a little tougher. The top two in Germany exchanged goals through Aleksandar Pavlovic and Robert Andrich in a draw, but both go into their European matches on the back of big wins that are about to be tested in high-profile matchday two encounters. Bayern travel to take on Aston Villa, while Leverkusen are set to take on Milan at home and a low-scoring domestic title clash provided an ideal test ahead of a return to UCL action.
Vincent Kompany’s men maintain a three-point lead over Xabi Alonso’s side, which is perhaps the most important element overall, but it is also the only time Bayern have failed to win so far this season. In addition to continued good form for Die Werkself despite an early defeat to RB Leipzig, the Bavarians dominated possession and created chances, but Leverkusen were less wasteful, which could count in their favor given Bayern’s more favorable games so far this season.
This was a chance for the visitors to draw level with the early season leaders, but ultimately it was a stalemate between arguably the two strongest sides in the Bundesliga. While it might ultimately count against Leverkusen as two points were lost as they took the lead before the home side drew level, it is also evidence that the difference between the two may not be as great as it may have been made out to be earlier in the season noted. More control over 90 minutes might be needed against Milan next week, but pragmatism won at home and could be to their advantage.
Perhaps, to Leverkusen’s credit, they have managed to hold Bayern to one goal, something no team has managed in all competitions this season. It’s hard to imagine a leaky Villa defense resisting for 90 minutes in Birmingham. . For the home side, however, four other teams have already scored more than once against the Bavarians this year and that inability could come back to haunt Alonso and his players as this season progresses. The European format is separate from the domestic one, but the standard is arguably higher per match and Kompany’s men are more experienced when it comes to balancing Bundesliga and UCL commitments.
The Belgian tactician has his team shooting forward and defending fairly tightly for the time being, but the sample size remains relatively small given the two teams’ different opening games. The Spaniard has arguably come through the tougher run of fixtures and is just three points short of the leading pace, just two points shy of RB Leipzig in second place. That’s set to change, however, with Villa, Eintracht Frankfurt, VfB Stuttgart and Barcelona next in a fraught series of fixtures for the German giants.
As for Leverkusen, Milan, Holstein Kiel, Frankfurt and Stade Brestois 29 are relatively easier matches to play and should logically earn points for the defending German champions before the tougher tasks of Stuttgart and Liverpool. Where the battle for the Bundesliga title will end has not yet been decided, but it has been suggested that changes could be coming rather than Bayern getting ahead of themselves until a team like Leverkusen comes along to ruffle some feathers. Meanwhile, RB Leipzig are in second place between Bayern and Leverkusen, while Borussia Dortmund are within three points of first place, suggesting a more open title race in Germany than usual.