By Peter Auf der Heyde
Bayern Munich has now a seven-point lead on his rivals after RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Dortmund all lost their last game. This weekend, second and third placed RB Leipzig and Leverkusen will clash to catch-up with the Bavarians.
Having won eight Bundesliga titles in a row, it is not surprising, that Bayern Munich are the overwhelming favourites for a repeat performance.
That, of course, does not mean that the Bundesliga season is not exciting. Far from it and even though the team from the Bavarian capital have a seven point lead over RB Leipzig, Hansi Flick’s side have not been invincible this season.
As things stand ahead of the 19th round of matches this weekend, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen are the teams chasing Bayern in second and third.
On Saturday, Leipzig welcomes Leverkusen to the Red Bull Arena.
Both teams go into the game on the back of disappointing defeats in their last outing – Leverkusen lost at home against VfL Wolfsburg, while RB gave away a two-time lead against second from bottom Mainz 05.
The defeat prompted Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann to say that he was not concerned about what Bayern were doing in their matches. “If we play the way we did, we will not be champions, irrespective whether Bayern lose points or not.”
His captain Marcel Sabitzer sang a similar tune. “That train [winning the championship] has left the station. Bayern is sitting in a fast-speed ICE train and we are sitting in a regional train. There are few regional trains that overtake an ICE.”
Irrespective of whether either of the clubs can still overtake Bayern, there are plenty of bragging-rights that go with being the second-best team in the Bundesliga, which is undoubtedly is one of the strongest leagues in the world.
Despite losing star striker Timo Werner to Chelsea, Nagelsmann has managed to put together a squad capable of mounting a serious challenge.
What makes their second place remarkable, is that the coach regularly uses young players like defenders Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konaté, Angeliño and Nordi Mukiele; midfielders Christopher Nkunku, Dani Olmo, Amadou Haidara and Tyler Adams as well as striker Justin Kluivert, despite none of them having reached their 25th birthday.
Their opponent’s in the RB Arena have also had to go into the new season without their star striker Kevin Volland, who moved to Monaco. In his absence, Leverkusen have continued their fine form.
Both teams will go into their game knowing Bayern’s result, which play earlier Saturday against Hoffenheim, who are coached by Sebastian Hoeneß.
The nephew of Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeneß, led his team to a 4-1 victory against Bayern in their second game of the season. Last year he coached Bayern’s second side to the third division championship.
Zambian football fans will be able to watch live whether Hoeneß manages a second victory against the perennial champions and which club remain their closest rivals as the games will be shown live on the TopStar channels.
