Bundesliga Preview: Bayer Leverkusen
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Photo by Stefan Matzke - sampics/Corbis via Getty Images
Will Leverkusen go undefeated again? Doubtful.
By LoneStar249 Aug 3, 2024, 12:00am CEST
Bayer Leverkusen took the world by storm last season. Leverkusen went undefeated in the Bundesliga to win the club’s first league title, cruised through the DFB-Pokal to claim the domestic double, and suffered their only loss in the Europa League final against Atalanta. Leverkusen built its title squad on a defense that only allowed 24 goals, led by Bayern Munich transfer target Jonathan Tah.
However, the miracle run required goals in the 85th minute or later on 12 different occasions, which will be nearly impossible to replicate. One of those goals was a stoppage time penalty kick to salvage a 2-2 tie in Munich. Leverkusen delivered a resounding 3-0 win over Bayern in the Rückrunde that essentially ended the title race.
Leverkusen starts its title defense with five matches against the top half of the table, including Bayern and Leipzig. With the rest of the Bundesliga reloading this summer, the title race will be wide open.
Manager: Xabi Alonso, 3rd year
Total market value: €668M
Starting XI market value: €492M
Formation: 3-4-3
Key Players: Florian Wirtz, midfielder; Jonathan Tah, center-back; Jeremie Frimpong, wing back
Key Additions: Martin Terrier, winger (€20M transfer, Stade Rennais); Aleix Garcia, midfielder (€18M transfer, Girona); Jeanuël Belocian, center-back (€15M transfer, Stade Rennais)
Key Departures: Josip Stanisic, defender (end of loan, Bayern Munich); Borja Iglesias, forward (end of loan, Real Betis)
2023-24 Bundesliga results: 28W-6D-0L, 90 points, 89 goals, 1st place
2024-25 European competition: Champions League
Bundesliga prediction: 20W-9D-5L, 79 points, goals, 3rd place
Opening match: Away at Gladbach
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