As Bayern Munich aims for a home final, they are set to clash with Bayer Leverkusen in a high-stakes encounter that could affect their title aspirations. Xabi Alonso has the opportunity to solidify his reputation as a nemesis for Bayern. Following their elimination from the DFB-Pokal, the German record champions are on guard against another painful exit from the Champions League. This match pits the Bundesliga leaders against the reigning champions, with Alonso yet to lose against Bayern.
Key Matchup in German Football
With 99 days remaining until the final on May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Bayern legend Giovane Elber looked on with surprise as he drew the German matchup during the Round of 16 draw. Bayern will host the first leg on March 4/5, with the return leg a week later in Leverkusen. In a somewhat overshadowed draw, Borussia Dortmund will face OSC Lille from France.
High Hopes from Bayern Officials
Max Eberl, Bayern’s sporting director, commented on the matchup, stating, „With Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, we have the two best German teams facing each other right now.“ He acknowledged the challenge ahead, recalling previous thrilling encounters.
Leverkusen’s Optimism
Leverkusen’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, greeted the draw with a wry smile, referencing a famous football saying, „München oder Madrid, Hauptsache Italien,“ which plays off the popular phrase related to Italian clubs. He expressed familiarity with Bayern, stating, „This is a high-level round of 16 match. They know us well, and we know them.“
Mixed Reactions from Fans and Legends
After a strong performance against Bayern that resulted in a goalless draw, the draw did not spark excitement among fans. Board chairman Jan Christian Dreesen noted, „Of course, many fans, including myself, would have preferred an international matchup, but it doesn’t change our task.“
Elber expressed a desire for a different opponent, while Lothar Matthäus found the pairing disappointing but noted a silver lining: one German team is guaranteed to reach the quarterfinals.
Historical Context
This will be the first all-German Champions League clash for Bayern since their famous 2013 final victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. Should Bayern or Leverkusen advance, they could face Inter Milan or Feyenoord Rotterdam in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Dortmund could meet Benfica Lisbon or FC Barcelona if they progress.
Despite playing the first leg at home, BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl emphasized their determination to overcome this challenging hurdle and qualify for the quarterfinals, while acknowledging the difficulty of the task.
The draw also left Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid with their own challenging matches, as they were expected to face off against other top European clubs.