‘Absolute underdogs’: Bayern Munich irked by outsiders tag against Bayer Leverkusen

BERLIN – Bayern Munich are irritated by suggestions that they are the outsiders in their high-stakes Champions League last-16, first-leg clash against Bayer Leverkusen.

Vincent Kompany’s men host Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga champions in Munich on March 5, and Bayern are almost always the favourites when taking on other German teams, regardless of venue or competition.

But pundits and bookmakers alike have tipped Leverkusen to make it through to the quarter-finals, raising the ire of the Bavarian side, particularly with Munich hosting the 2025 final.

Since appearing in back-to-back finals in 2012 and 2013, Bayern have only once failed to make it past the last-16 stage – when they lost to Jurgen Klopp’s eventual champions Liverpool in 2019.

Bayern legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who alongside Uli Hoeness grew the club into European powerhouses, said his team felt slighted and would react.

“Everyone has declared Bayer Leverkusen the favourites. I know our team – and it pisses them off,” he said.

In six matches against Bayern since he took over as Leverkusen coach in October 2022, Alonso has never lost, with three draws and three victories.

In December, defending German Cup champions Leverkusen eliminated Bayern from the competition with a 1-0 win in Munich.

And in the most recent encounter between the two clubs, in February in Leverkusen, Bayern were thoroughly outplayed, failing to register a shot on target.

The match, however, finished in a goal-less draw which kept Bayern’s eight-point lead atop the table and on track to win back the Bundesliga, suggesting they can be pragmatic when necessary under Kompany.

Veteran Thomas Muller, a two-time Champions League winner with Bayern, suggested those tipping Leverkusen to dump his side out of the tournament were not seeing the full picture.

“Leverkusen are very clearly the favourites if you listen to German pundits,” he said.

“And we, the absolute underdogs, obviously want to prove ourselves. Right, dear pundits? We shall see.”

In his regular newsletter sent to fans last weekend, Muller also said it was “emotionally special to play against our biggest domestic rivals on the big stage”.

“It’s about winning, but also about a lot of prestige. Personally, I think the little taunts between the two clubs are quite entertaining. I always liked that as a kid and fan,” he added.

Bayern may not always impress in the league this season but have managed to get the job done when it matters. But they have struggled in the Champions League, particularly away from home.

The German giants have lost to Barcelona, Aston Villa and Feyenoord away in the competition this season, scoring just one goal and conceding eight.

Former Germany midfielder-turned-pundit Michael Ballack, who played for both Bayern and Leverkusen, said the Bavarian side should not be counted out despite their poor European form.

“Many are betting on Leverkusen, but in my eyes Bayern are never outsiders, no matter what shape they’re in,” he said. AFP