Bayern expect 'total battle' as Leverkusen eye home comforts in semi
Bayern Munich players celebrate winning the German Bundesliga championship after the final whistle of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena. Tom Weller/dpa Bayern Munich are expecting a tough duel at Bayer Leverkusen in Wednesday's German Cup semi-final despite their own strong form and their opponents' slump, coach Vincent Kompany said on Tuesday. "What we have experienced there was always a total battle.
We do not expect anything else and that is what we want," Kompany told a news conference. Bayern have not reached the German Cup final since 2020, when they beat Leverkusen 4-2 under coronavirus restrictions in an almost empty Olympic Stadium in Berlin. It was part of a sextuple of trophies, something the Bavarians are also looking to achieve this year having already wrapped up the Bundesliga title.
Last season the record Cup winners were knocked out in the last 16 against Leverkusen, losing 1-0. Asked whether the memory of that defeat was special motivation, Kompany replied: "It is not about revenge. " With Germany international Serge Gnabry out for the season for Bayern, playmaker Jamal Musiala is set to come more into focus as he nears full fitness following last year's leg break.
Kompany stopped short of saying he would start in Leverkusen but said: "My opinion is that he is now also physically, not only in terms of strength but also in terms of willingness to run, already very close to his best level. "So running, pressing, the way we do it, he can do that now. Going into tackles, he can do that.
And then there is only the question: when will this magic Musiala return that people remember, Jamal at his very best? And that will 100% come back again at some point. " Werkself bank on home advantage Leverkusen are having a disappointing season and are in danger of missing out on the Champions League places in the Bundesliga.