Back
14.10.2021Bundesliga

Our next opponents: World-class team with a slight question mark

Champions visit for top of the table clash: Following international break the Werkself in second place entertain the level on points league leaders FC Bayern on Sunday, 17 October (kick-off: 15.30 CEST). What’s the situation with the Munich team ahead of the crunch encounter at the BayArena? The lowdown on our next opponents.
crop_imago1006925692h.jpg

Position

There was a slight setback ahead of the international break. After a brilliant start to the season, FC Bayern suffered a 2-1 home defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt on the last matchday. For coach Julian Nagelsmann it was the first defeat as the Bayern coach following a run of nine wins in succession and a draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach at the start. "I didn't think the game was massively different from the matches in recent weeks," said Nagelsmann after the Frankfurt game where his team were frustrated by the outstanding Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp. "Only the result was different." A result that means the serial champions are joined at the top of the Bundesliga – by Bayer 04 were now level on points with FC Bayern. Overall it has been an outstanding start Nagelsmann and his men from Munich. In the Champions League, his team put Barcelona in their place with a 3-0 victory and then produced a goal fest in a 5-0 win against Dynamo Kiev. And the record champions also secured a 12-0 win against Bremer SV in the first round of the DFB Cup.

Personnel

FC Bayern not had serious injury worries to date but there is a slight question mark over the right-back position. The usual first choice Benjamin Pavard is suspended for the Werkself match after a red card at Fürth. Nagelsmann played central defender Niklas Süle in that position against Frankfurt. It is possible that Josip Stanisic could be preferred at Leverkusen. The home-grown player has appeared in every Bundesliga match with three starts the date and very good reviews.

Apart from Pavard, only reserve keeper Sven Ulreich is definitely ruled out with torn knee ligaments. The two Frenchmen Corentin Tolisso (calf problems) and Kingsley Coman (heart operation) have both been sidelined but Nagelsmann has expressed the hope that both players might be available at Leverkusen. That appears realistic with Coman as the speedy offensive player has been back in full training since the end of last week. Coman would be an option for either of the two attacking positions on the flanks. Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry have both been on top form on the flanks recently so it is possible that Coman will start on the bench.

Performers

The whole squad from front to back is full of world-class players. It is difficult to single out a particularly strong part of the team – and equally to point to a weak spot. Every team obviously has to keep an eye out for the world's best player at the moment. Robert Lewandowski is almost scoring at will this season with 13 goals in 10 games to date and the Pole leads the strongest attack in the Bundesliga. FCB have created the most clear-cut chances, have the most shots on goal and – no surprise – have also scored the most goals.

Problems

Everything was running like clockwork at FC Bayern up to the Frankfurt match – and there are two slight problems in the current season appeared that ended up leading to a defeat. The best attack in the league could score more goals if they were more effective. A host of really good chances was not enough at Frankfurt to score more than one goal. "If we take our chances then it could have been 3-1 or 4-1," said Thomas Müller. And the current percentage conversion rate of clear-cut chances of 63% is only middling in the Bundesliga. In defence, Bayern are susceptible in the air. The equaliser at 1-1 with Eintracht Frankfurt came from Martin Hinteregger and it was the third headed goal conceded in seven games – too many for the standards of FC Bayern.

Prediction

As in the past, the road to the league title only leads by FC Bayern. The club have found an outstanding coach in Julian Nagelsmann who can seamlessly carry on the success story of Hansi Flick. The squad meets the highest standards – and if the team remains free of too many injuries then FC Bayern have a great chance of registering their tenth Bundesliga title in succession. And the top German team are again amongst the favourites in the Champions League. Here it will depend on Bayern being able to maintain their top form into the spring.

Related News

Women: TV-highlights of 0-2 loss at Nürnberg | 8th matchday
Werkself-TV - 25.10.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 0-2 loss at Nürnberg

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 0-2 loss at 1. FC Nürnberg on Matchday 8 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.

Show more
Loreen Bender am Boden
Women - 25.10.2026

Setback in Nuremberg: Bayer 04 women suffer first away defeat

After nine points from their first three away matches of the 2026/27 season, the Bayer 04 Women suffered their first away defeat on Sunday afternoon. The 2-0 defeat away to FC Nürnberg, who were winless before today, represented a setback for coach Roberto Pätzold’s team in the race for the top spots in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. Fany Pronietz scored both goals (62’, 85’) for the home side.

Show more
20261025_JS_TSGB04_8534.jpg
Bundesliga - 25.10.2026

Werkself winning run ends with 3-0 defeat at TSG

After six consecutive wins, the Werkself have hit a rough patch: Bayer 04 lost 3-0 away to TSG Hoffenheim. Andrej Kramaric put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot (79'), with Alexander Prass and Max Moerstedt adding to the tally shortly before full-time (89’/90+5’). After ten matches under Carles Martínez, with the Black and Reds always scoring at least twice, Leverkusen failed to find the net for the first time.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #TSGB04
Bundesliga - 25.10.2026

Matchday news: Strong form and on a roll

The Werkself still have a score to settle with TSG Hoffenheim: Bayer 04 lost both matches against the Kraichgau side last term – after the Black and Reds had won all the previous five encounters. Leverkusen are currently on a roll and looking to kick off a new winning streak against TSG in Sinsheim on Sunday 25 October (kick-off: 15:30 CET), and Patrik Schick is keen to continue his current run of form. However, it will not be easy, as coach Christian Ilzer’s team have also gained confidence recently. Today’s matchday news.

Show more