Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen: Matchday 4 Preview
Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso’s stock as a manager is quickly rising due to his impressive work at Bayer Leverkusen. The Spaniard has Leverkusen playing an attractive, attacking style. Flashes were shown last season as Leverkusen made a deep run in Europe before falling to Roma in the Europa semi-final. The 23/24 version of Leverkusen is off to a great start having taken all nine points from their opening three matches, including a 3-2 victory over RB Leipzig in the first game of the season.
In goal for Leverkusen, expect Finnish national teamer Lukas Hradecky to get the start. With defender Piero Hincapie nursing an injury, the back three should consist of Odilon Kossounou, Jonathan Tah, and Edmond Tapsoba from right to left. Jeremie Frimpong should get the start at right wing-back with new signing Alex Grimaldo featuring on the opposite flank.
Making up Alonso’s four-man midfield, former Arsenal man Granit Xhaka will play with Exequiel Palacios as the double pivot. Amine Adli is finally cleared from his three-game suspension dating back to his red card on the last matchday of the 22/23 season. Despite this, I don’t expect Alonso to change his attacking mids/wingers in Florian Wirtz and Jonas Hofmann. Both seem to have found a strong relationship that is creating chances in the final third.
Centrally, Patrik Schick is still out, but Leverkusen do not seem to be missing him very much. New summer signing Victor Boniface is off to a strong start this Bundesliga season with four goals and two assists in just three games thus far. He will look to continue his strong start to the season on Friday.
"Predicted Starting XI (3-4-2-1) Hradecky Kossounou-Tah-Tapsoba Frimpong-Xhaka-Palacios-Grimaldo Hofmann-Wirtz Boniface"
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Predicted Score
Bayern Munich 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen (Goals: Sane and Kane)
Bayern Munich will have their hands full dealing with the free-flowing attack of Leverkusen. Likewise, Leverkusen’s 3 goals conceded in 3 matches shows there is a weakness there. I see an entertaining 2-2 game at the Allianz Arena.