This will be their third meeting this season, with Leverkusen still unbeaten against Vincent Kompany’s side, including a DFB-Pokal victory at the Allianz Arena earlier in the campaign. With both clubs chasing silverware on multiple fronts, this tie could play a defining role in their respective seasons.
Recent Form & Head-to-Head
Bayern come into the game in strong form, extending their unbeaten run to nine matches across all competitions (W7, D2) after a 3-1 win over Stuttgart last Friday. However, their Champions League playoff tie against Celtic was far from convincing, as they needed a last-minute equalizer from Alphonso Davies to advance on aggregate.
At the Allianz Arena, Bayern have been dominant in the Champions League Round of 16, losing just one of their last 11 home legs in this stage (W9, D1), scoring 41 goals in that run, including big wins over Arsenal, Besiktas, and Salzburg in recent years.
Leverkusen, meanwhile, finished in the top five of the league phase, ensuring their place in the knockouts without needing a playoff. They have been incredible domestically, going unbeaten in their last 29 Bundesliga away games, though their European away form has been shaky with back-to-back defeats at Liverpool and Atlético Madrid in the UCL.
Despite that, Alonso has never lost to Bayern as Leverkusen manager, overseeing a six-game unbeaten streak against the Bavarians (W3, D3), including a 0-0 draw at the BayArena last month, in which Leverkusen restricted Bayern to just two shots on target.
Team News
Bayern Munich:
- Joshua Kimmich is a doubt but could return after light training over the weekend.
- Eric Dier and Aleksandar Pavlovic missed training due to illness but should be available.
- Jamal Musiala, João Palhinha, and Alphonso Davies are carrying minor knocks but are expected to be fit.
- Harry Kane, the tournament’s most in-form striker with 15 goals and five assists since last season, will lead the attack.
Bayer Leverkusen:
- Piero Hincapie returns after serving a domestic suspension.
- Jeanuel Belocian (injury) remains a long-term absentee.
- Florian Wirtz, who has been involved in seven UCL goals this season (6G, 1A), is expected to start.
- Alonso named a strong lineup at the weekend, showing no signs of rotation despite this crucial fixture.
Stats Watch
- Bayern have won nine of their last 11 home Round of 16 ties, scoring 41 goals in that span.
- Leverkusen have lost their last two away Champions League matches but are unbeaten in their last 29 Bundesliga away games.
- Bayern have not beaten Leverkusen in their last six meetings (D3, L3) under Xabi Alonso.
- Florian Wirtz is just two goal involvements away from matching Michael Ballack’s club record (9) for a single UCL campaign.
- Harry Kane has directly contributed to 20 UCL goals (15G, 5A) since last season, more than any other player in the competition.
- Leverkusen have conceded first just once in their last 19 matches in all competitions.
Bayern’s Champions League pedigree makes them favorites at the Allianz Arena, but Leverkusen’s unbeaten run against them under Alonso adds a fascinating dimension to this fixture. With Harry Kane in lethal form and Florian Wirtz emerging as a European star, both sides have firepower to make this an explosive contest. Bayern will hope to capitalize on their home advantage, but Leverkusen’s defensive structure has already caused them problems this season. Expect a tense, tactical battle with the tie finely poised ahead of the return leg.