With the Rückrunde set to commence this Friday, Bayern Munich currently sit four points behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen. With Die Werkself the only side left in the Bundesliga unbeaten, it will be quite the challenge for Der Rekordmeister if they are to catch up to Xabi Alonso’s side.
However, Bayern do have the luxury of boasting a game in hand over Leverkusen when Union Berlin travel to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, January 24. As well as this, Die Werkself will host the reigning German champions on matchday 21, which will certainly offer an advantage to whoever comes out victorious in that bout.
Nevertheless, there is a chance that mentality could be the difference-maker in this title race. When questioned about the race for the Meisterschale by ESPN’s Archie Rhind-Tutt, Thomas Tuchel commented: “We have everything to lose. They have everything to win.”
For Leverkusen, this is a situation that this group of players have never found themselves in, and with Bayern hunting them down, the pressure of continuing to perform at a certain level could play a significant role in who lifts silverware aloft come May.
However, under Alonso, the Werkself have been relentless, and they have not given any reason for doubt to be cast upon them, which was acknowledged by Tuchel when he stated: “Now it is a title race where they are extraordinary.”
With the title race looking to be one of the most engaging across Europe, Leverkusen look to become the first side in twelve years to dethrone Bayern. Nonetheless, Stuttgart and RB Leipzig lie just behind in third and fourth, waiting to take advantage of any major slip-ups, which Tuchel stated he is prepared for: “But you shouldn’t forget Stuttgart either, and Leipzig can also make a run at any time.”
GGFN | Will Shopland
