Alonso has given Leverkusen control but Bayern have know-how and Kane | Lothar Matthäus

As the Bundesliga’s top two face off, Bayern Munich should manage the pressure better and can win by playing with intelligence

This is the Bundesliga equivalent of Manchester City taking on Liverpool and most people in Germany are very happy that after 20 rounds of games Bayern Munich are not top. They are second with 50 points, a record for that position at this stage of the season, but Bayer Leverkusen have been better, unbeaten in 30 games in all competitions. They haven’t been lucky, just very good and their style reminds me of Barcelona when Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta were there. They have good ball control, they dominate possession and in Florian Wirtz they have a special player who can make a difference.

Bayern are under pressure and that is why I think they will beat Leverkusen, because they’re at their best when they have big matches like this one. Their players are more focused than for a game against Bochum or Werder Bremen or Union Berlin. They are more motivated and play with a different mentality. They know a win would take them into first place which is a great motivation. Everyone is talking nicely about Leverkusen and those connected with Bayern are sick of hearing all the compliments they are getting. Continue reading...

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