Bayern Munich Ready to Prove Doubters Wrong, Says Ballack

Former Germany midfielder Michael Ballack believes Bayern Munich should not be underestimated ahead of their Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayern Munich is embracing the underdog mentality ahead of their highly anticipated Champions League last 16 clash with Bayer Leverkusen. Despite being the reigning German champions, Bayern is reportedly irritated by suggestions that they are not the favorites to advance in the competition.

The two German powerhouses are set to face off in a home-and-away series, with the first leg taking place at Bayern's Allianz Arena in Munich on Wednesday. The return leg will follow a week later at Leverkusen's BayArena. Bayer Leverkusen, led by manager Xabi Alonso, will be looking to capitalize on any perceived vulnerability in Bayern's lineup.

Bayern Munich, with their vast resources and illustrious history, are typically considered the favorites when facing other German teams. However, ahead of their Champions League last 16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen, pundits and bookmakers have surprisingly tipped Leverkusen to advance to the quarter-finals. This perceived slight has raised the ire of the Bavarians, particularly given that Munich is hosting this year's Champions League final.

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Bayern's recent history in the Champions League is impressive, with only one failure to progress beyond the last 16 stage in 13 seasons - a loss to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool in 2019. Despite this, the team feels disrespected by the pundits' and bookmakers' predictions. Bayern powerbroker Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who played a crucial role in transforming the club into a European powerhouse, expressed his team's sentiment, saying, “Everyone has declared Bayer Leverkusen the favourite. I know our team - and it pisses them off.”

The Obvious Underdogs

Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen's manager, boasts an impressive record against Bayern Munich, having never lost in six matches since taking over in October 2022. This streak includes three draws and three victories. Additionally, during his three seasons as a midfielder for Bayern, Alonso never lost to Leverkusen in six matches, showcasing his remarkable record in this fixture as both a player and a coach.

In December, Bayer Leverkusen eliminated Bayern from the German Cup with a 1-0 win in Munich. The match was marked by a contentious moment when Bayern captain Manuel Neuer received a red card for a rash challenge on Jeremie Frimpong, resulting in a broken rib. This incident suggested that Leverkusen had gotten under Bayern's skin. Their most recent encounter in February ended in a scoreless draw, with Bayern failing to register a shot on target for only the second time in a league game since 1992.

Veteran midfielder Thomas Muller, a two-time Champions League winner with Bayern, responded to pundits tipping Leverkusen to advance. “Leverkusen are very clearly the favourites if you listen to German pundits,” Muller said on Friday. “And we, the absolute underdogs, obviously want to prove ourselves. Right, dear pundits? We shall see.” In his newsletter to fans on Sunday, Muller expressed his excitement about facing their biggest domestic rival on the big stage, saying, “It's emotionally special... 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.”

Despite not always impressing in the league this season, Bayern Munich has consistently delivered when it matters. However, their performance in the Champions League has been underwhelming, particularly away from home. Bayern has suffered losses to Barcelona, Aston Villa, and Feyenoord on the road, scoring only one goal and conceding eight. Even at home, Bayern struggled against Celtic in mid-February, requiring a stoppage-time goal from Alphonso Davies to secure a 1-1 draw.

Former Germany midfielder and pundit Michael Ballack, who has played for both Bayern and Leverkusen, believes that Bayern should not be underestimated. “Many are betting on Leverkusen, but in my eyes Bayern are never outsiders, no matter what shape they're in,” Ballack said. He pointed to Bayern's recent league wins against Frankfurt and Stuttgart as evidence that they have corrected some of their issues. Ballack, who experienced a Champions League final loss with Leverkusen against Real Madrid in 2002, acknowledged that Bayer is “on a par with Bayern” heading into their clash.