German giants Bayern Munich are irritated by strategies they’re the outsiders of their high-stakes Champions League final 16 tie towards Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayern host Xabi Alonso’s defending German champions in Munich on Wednesday, with the return leg the next Tuesday in Leverkusen.
With assets and historical past that dwarf anybody else in Germany, Bayern are nearly at all times the favourites when taking over different German groups, no matter venue or competitors.
However pundits and bookmakers alike have tipped Leverkusen to make it by way of to the quarter finals, elevating the ire of the Bavarians, significantly with Munich internet hosting this yr’s remaining.
Since showing in back-to-back finals in 2012 and 2013, Bayern have solely as soon as did not make it previous the final 16 stage in 13 seasons — after they misplaced to Jurgen Klopp’s eventual champions Liverpool.
Bayern powerbroker Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who alongside Uli Hoeness grew the membership right into a European powerhouse, stated his staff felt slighted and would react.
“Everybody has declared Bayer Leverkusen the favorite. I do know our staff — and it pisses them off.”
– ‘Absolute underdogs’ –
In six matches towards Bayern since he took over as Leverkusen supervisor in October 2022, Xabi Alonso has by no means misplaced, with three attracts and three victories.
In three seasons in midfield for Bayern, Alonso by no means misplaced towards Leverkusen in six matches — a exceptional file within the fixture each as a participant and a coach.
In December, defending German Cup champions Leverkusen eradicated Bayern from the competitors with a 1-0 win in Munich.
In that match, Bayern captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer picked up the primary pink card of his lengthy profession after a rash, rugby-style problem on Jeremie Frimpong exterior the field.
The collision, which left Neuer with a damaged rib, instructed Leverkusen had gotten beneath Bayern’s pores and skin.
In the newest encounter between the 2 golf equipment, in February in Leverkusen, Bayern have been totally outplayed, failing to register a shot on course for simply the second time in a league sport since 1992.
The match nevertheless completed in a scoreless draw which saved Bayern’s eight-point lead atop the desk and on observe to win again the Bundesliga, suggesting the usually dominant Bayern will be pragmatic when needed beneath coach Vincent Kompany.
Veteran midfielder Thomas Mueller, a two-time Champions League winner with Bayern, instructed these tipping Leverkusen to dump his aspect out of the event weren’t seeing the complete image.
“Leverkusen are very clearly the favourites if you happen to hearken to German pundits,” Mueller stated on Friday.
“And we, absolutely the underdogs, clearly wish to show ourselves. Proper, expensive pundits? We will see.”
In his common e-newsletter despatched to followers on Sunday, Mueller stated it was “emotionally particular to play towards our largest home rival on the large stage.
“It is about successful, but in addition about plenty of status. Personally, I feel the little taunts between the 2 golf equipment are fairly entertaining. I at all times appreciated that as a child and fan.”
– ‘By no means outsiders’ –
Bayern could not at all times impress within the league this season however have managed to get the job finished when it issues.
Within the Champions League, Bayern have struggled, significantly away from dwelling.
Bayern have misplaced to Barcelona, Aston Villa and Feyenoord away within the competitors this season, scoring only one objective and conceding eight.
In mid-February, Bayern wanted a stoppage time Alphonso Davies objective to attract 1-1 at dwelling with Celtic and keep away from further time.
Former Germany midfielder turned pundit Michael Ballack, who performed for each Bayern and Leverkusen in a profession which additionally took him to Stamford Bridge, stated the Bavarian giants couldn’t be counted out.
“Many are betting on Leverkusen, however in my eyes Bayern are by no means outsiders, it doesn’t matter what form they’re in.
“They’ve put plenty of issues proper with wins towards Frankfurt and Stuttgart (within the league)” in current weeks.
Ballack, who misplaced the Champions League remaining with Leverkusen towards a Zinedine Zidane-inspired Actual Madrid in 2002, stated Bayer was “on a par with Bayern” earlier than the conflict.
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