Bayern remain top of the table and the only unbeaten team in the Bundesliga following Saturday’s 1-1 draw away at Borussia Dortmund. They dominated proceedings for the most part but still went behind in the 27th minute when Jamie Gittens ended an impressive run of recent clean sheets.
Up to then, the Bavarians had gone seven games and 690 minutes in all competitions without conceding a goal. “Dortmund went 1-0 up from their only chance. We then had to chase the game,” said a frustrated board member for sport Max Eberl after a first concession in over a month.
Bayern then faced another big setback not long after when Kane went off injured. According to sporting director Christoph Freund, the England striker had “felt something in his hamstring”.
Speaking after the game, head coach Vincent Kompany appeared sceptical as to whether the Bundesliga’s top scorer would be able to feature in the cup. On Sunday, the club then announced that the 31-year-old had suffered a minor muscle strain in his right hamstring, definitely ruling him out on Tuesday and leaving Kompany without his main striker for the first time this season.
There should be no issues for centre-back Minjae Kim, however. The South Korean went off with 10 minutes to go in Dortmund with a gash above his eye and had to have stitches. “But he’s a machine. It won’t knock him,” said Freund, insisting that Kim will be available to play.
According to Thomas Müller, who came on for Kane, Bayern were unable to “make our mark on the game like we wanted” in the first half in Dortmund. Things improved in the second, but a goal refused to come until the 85th minute, when Jamal Musiala headed in a probably deserved equaliser. It was a well-taken finish on the end of a Michael Olise cross into the bottom left corner and the Germany international’s fourth headed goal out of seven in his last eight games. The 21-year-old also struck with his head in the second round of the DFB Pokal as part of a hat-trick in the 4-0 win at Mainz. Bayern won by the same scoreline at Ulm in the first round.
Bayern’s Bundesliga numbers this season have been impressive, winning nine of their first 12 games, plus three draws. They also boast the division’s best attack and defence, with 37 goals scored and only eight conceded. All in all, Kompany insisted he can live with the draw in Dortmund. “We showed character in the second half, had pace, dribbles and combination play, which meant we created chances. I’m pleased we were able to score when we did. We then kept going, which is again part of this team’s character. It was a good game for the Bundesliga. Both teams showed intensity.”
The same could be said for the league meeting in September, which ended 1-1 in Munich. Bayern dominated for the most part but, like in Dortmund, conceded inside the opening half an hour when Robert Andrich put away from Granit Xhaka’s lay-off. Aleksandar Pavlovic subsequently fired in an equaliser before the break. Leverkusen then defended well in the second half to see out the result. “That was very hard today,” Xabi Alonso said at the time. “We can be pleased with the point.”
Even without Kane, the Bayern appear confident ahead of their next encounter with the reigning domestic double winners. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said: “We were always the better side in those games against big opponents, Leverkusen, Frankfurt, Dortmund. We want to be again on Tuesday.” Joshua Kimmich also spoke with respect towards the Werkself: “It’s a knockout game. Anything can happen. Both teams are in good form, Leverkusen again as well. They’ve been very solid and not allowing much again. We’re in good form too. I’m expecting an even contest.”
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
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