As Bundesliga matchday 7 approaches, Bayer 04 Leverkusen faces FC Bayern Munich in a pivotal clash, highlighting a tightly contested title race. Leverkusen’s Kristin Kögel, a former Bayern player, has emerged as a key contributor this season. Both teams boast strong defenses, but injuries may impact their lineups. With only one point separating the top five clubs, including unbeaten Eintracht Frankfurt, the stakes are high. Leverkusen seeks to end a long winless streak against Bayern, while both teams aim to solidify their standings.
As matchday 7 of the Bundesliga approaches, the race for the title is heating up with an exhilarating clash between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich, scheduled for Sunday at 6:30 PM.
Kristin Kögel, a local talent, is well-acquainted with her rivals. Having spent several years on Bayern’s second team and making her league debut in Munich, she transitioned to Bayer Leverkusen in 2020. Now 25, Kögel has become a vital asset for her team, currently leading the squad with three goals and three assists.
Kögel isn’t the only player with ties to Bayern Munich; Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir is back on loan from the reigning champions, and central defender Emilie Bragstad has joined permanently after a successful loan spell. This matchup is particularly significant, as it features two of the top teams in the league standings.
The current league table is tightly contested, with just one point separating the first and fifth positions. Eintracht Frankfurt is setting the pace at the top, a spot usually claimed by Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg in previous seasons. Notably, in past years, a gap of four or five points frequently emerged early in the season.
Despite their impressive surge to the top, Eintracht Frankfurt Women are maintaining a low profile. Nevertheless, their squad’s potential is noteworthy, making them a strong contender for the title.
Will the Freiburg Match Be Replayed?
Leverkusen and Frankfurt remain the only two unbeaten teams so far. On paper, this marks the second-best start to a Bundesliga 1 season for head coach Roberto Pätzold since Leverkusen’s promotion in 2018. However, this achievement hasn’t garnered much attention, as Bayer currently holds the second-lowest average attendance in the league.
A third-place position could change soon, as a ruling by the DFB sports court may lead to a replay of the match against Freiburg from matchday 1. Leverkusen has until next Tuesday to file another appeal over a controversial decision regarding a penalty kick awarded to Kögel, which the court deemed improper.
Historically, Bayer Leverkusen has faced challenges against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, winning just 4 out of 26 encounters, with their last victory occurring in September 2019.
Pätzold commented on the strengths needed to prevail against Bayern: “The game against Wolfsburg illustrated that discipline in defense can lead to success. We have shown our ability to create opportunities against other teams, and we need to do the same against Bayern, especially now that they are under pressure to avoid further slip-ups.”
Key player transfers have significantly contributed to Leverkusen’s success this season. The team effectively replaced international Elisa Senß, who moved to Frankfurt, with Katharina Piljić from SGS Essen. Additionally, forwards Caroline Kehrer and Cornelia Kramer have already made impactful contributions. Loreen Bender, who joined last summer, has received the Fritz Walter Gold Medal for the U19 age group.
In terms of tactics, Pätzold employs a 4-2-2-2 formation, utilizing Vilhjálmsdóttir and Kögel in the midfield. Although both are primarily central attacking midfielders, this system allows them to exploit half-spaces effectively, adding unpredictability to Leverkusen’s offensive strategies.
Injury Concerns for Both Teams
This matchup features the league’s best defenses, yet both teams are grappling with injury challenges. Bayern Munich coach Alexander Straus will be missing essential players such as central defenders Magdalena Eriksson and Tainara, as well as left-back Katharina Naschenweng.
In their recent Champions League match against Juventus, Bayern Munich started strong but faced tough competition from their Italian counterparts.
Straus noted that assessing players’ strengths is crucial when organizing the lineup, as seen with Giulia Gwinn, who often switches positions based on tactical needs.
On Pätzold’s side, he has dealt with similar adjustments due to the absence of Synne Skinnes Hansen. Replacing her in the lineup last week was Janou Levels, who previously played on the opposite side, creating a robust defensive partnership with Kögel.
Despite the changes, Pätzold remains committed to his proactive approach: “Our focus will be on meeting Bayern’s challenges directly, playing courageously, and not settling for a passive strategy. That approach is necessary given our current standings.”