Bundesliga Champions Bayer Leverkusen Face First Big Test, To Play RB Leipzig

Defending Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen face the first true test of their title defence when they host RB Leipzig on Saturday. Unbeaten in Germany last season, Xabi Alonso's side have battled to narrow wins in the German Supercup, German Cup and in their Bundesliga opener this season. In Leipzig, they face a title rival for the first time. The two league fixtures between the clubs last season proved crucial milestones in Leverkusen's breakthrough title.

In the Bundesliga opener last year, Leverkusen won 3-2 against Marco Rose's German Cup holders.

The victory was an early warning to title favourites Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, who had finished the previous season atop the table, separated only by goal difference.

In January's return game in Leipzig, Leverkusen again won 3-2, coming from behind twice before scoring an injury-time winner.

The late victory was a sign of things to come from a side who have scored 17 goals in the 88th minute or later so far in 2024.

Both clubs come into season 2024-25 in an unusual position, having held on to most of their star players during the off-season.

From the team which won an unbeaten league and cup double last season, Leverkusen lost only defender Odilon Kossounou.

Leipzig, often raided by Europe's elite at season's end, lost forward Dani Olmo, but his replacement Antonio Nusa has fitted right in, with two goals in two games.

Leverkusen have not impressed so far this season and struggled to a 1-0 win at fourth-division Carl Zeiss Jena on Wednesday.

Midfield enforcer Robert Andrich said the win was their "weakest performance" of the year, saying "we didn't take it seriously."

"We made far too many mistakes."

Jonas Hofmann, who scored the game's only goal, said the