Praise from Leverkusen

Bayern now have 20 points after eight matches, one ahead of Dortmund and Leverkusen. After the two-week international break, FCB are at home in the Bundesliga twice in a row, against Mainz and Hertha Berlin. It is not an unkind schedule, especially as opponents are visibly in awe of the treble winners right now. “You watch their passing and it's just unbelievable," said Bayer centre back Omer Toprak, “and they're not just doing it against us, they do it in the Champions League as well."

Bayern wary of Dangerous Leverkusen

“Leverkusen are in great shape. If they win, they’ll overtake us.“ Pep Guardiola was equally cautious: “Leverkusen are only one point behind us. They’re very dangerous.”

The superb victory in Manchester “belongs to the past,“ as Guardiola said, but Munich’s triumph in north-west England provided a real boost ahead of the clash at the BayArena, which will be broadcast live in 204 countries, a new record for the Bundesliga. The treble winners have returned to Germany with no new injury problems, and FCB also have the slight psychological edge of being the last Bundesliga club to win in Leverkusen.

“We respect them, but we’re not scared,” insisted Leverkusen keeper Bernd Leno. “Bayern are the best team in the world. but we’re at home, and we’ll try everything we know to take our chance,” added Jens Hegeler. Coach Hyypiä, a former Liverpool stalwart, called for “belief“ and “desire“ from his players: “conceding defeat now would be stupid.“