Bayer Leverkusen Carry Champions League Momentum Into Bundesliga Title Race

Leverkusen: Bayer Leverkusen are drawing confidence from their Champions League success as they push forward in the Bundesliga title race. Xabi Alonso’s men, currently six points behind league leaders Bayern Munich, will host Hoffenheim this weekend, aiming to keep their title hopes alive.

Fresh off a crucial Champions League victory over Sparta Prague, which secured their place in the last 16, Leverkusen are proving their ability to compete at the highest level.

"This is why we play in the Champions League—to compete at the highest level," said Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah. "We have shown that we can go head-to-head with any team at this level."

Leverkusen’s Dominance in German Football

Leverkusen have enjoyed an exceptional domestic run, having lost only one Bundesliga match since the start of last season. Despite a slow start to their current campaign, Alonso’s squad has bounced back into contention, demonstrating their resilience and title-winning mentality.

However, last weekend’s 2-2 draw with RB Leipzig, where they surrendered a two-goal lead, showed that maintaining consistency will be key in their title charge.

Can Bayern’s Packed Schedule Help Leverkusen?

Bayern Munich, who face Holstein Kiel on Saturday, will travel to Leverkusen later this month for a crucial league clash. The defending Bundesliga champions will have their hands full, as they are set to play two Champions League playoff matches alongside their domestic fixtures.

Despite Bayern’s congested schedule, Tah remains cautious about gaining an advantage.

"Bayern Munich are used to playing every three days," he stated, acknowledging the depth and resilience of the record champions.

Another boost for Leverkusen came from the recent news that Victor Boniface’s proposed move to Saudi Arabia collapsed. The striker’s decision to stay adds attacking firepower, allowing Alonso’s side to fight on multiple fronts, including the Bundesliga, Champions League, and DFB-Pokal.

Bayern Munich Face Challenges But Hold the Advantage

While Bayern haven’t made any major signings in the current transfer window, manager Vincent Kompany remains optimistic. The Bavarians narrowly missed a top-eight finish in Europe, meaning they will have to navigate the Champions League playoff round before advancing further.

Kompany, however, downplayed concerns, insisting that Bayern’s fate remains in their control.

"It was clear the big games would come. From now on, everything is in our hands again," he said after Bayern’s seventh win in eight matches across all competitions.

Borussia Dortmund in Transition as Niko Kovac Takes Over

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund will travel to Heidenheim on Saturday for Mike Tullberg’s final match as interim coach. Niko Kovac, who previously managed Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, and AS Monaco, is set to take over as Dortmund’s permanent head coach.

Despite a disappointing 11th-place standing, Dortmund are still within striking distance of the top four, trailing fourth-placed Stuttgart by just six points.

Player to Watch: Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart)

Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller has been one of the Bundesliga’s standout performers this season. Despite Stuttgart's Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, the 23-year-old received a contract extension until 2028, underlining his value to the squad.

Stiller’s performances in both attack and defense have earned him a Germany national team call-up, solidifying his role as a key figure in Stuttgart’s campaign.

"He is an important building block in the team’s structure," Stuttgart sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth said.

Key Bundesliga Stats & Figures

• 31 Points – Mainz’s tally of 31 points from 19 games is their second-best start in club history, only behind their 2010-11 season under Thomas Tuchel (33 points).
• 8 Goals – Borussia Dortmund forward Serhou Guirassy has eight Bundesliga goals in 16 games, just one less than the nine he has in eight Champions League matches this season.
• 0 Home Wins – Second-division Magdeburg are yet to win a home game this season, yet they still sit third in the Bundesliga 2 table.

Upcoming Bundesliga Fixtures (All times in GMT)

Friday, January 31

• Werder Bremen vs. Mainz (19:30)

Saturday, February 1

• St. Pauli vs. Augsburg
• Bayern Munich vs. Holstein Kiel
• Bochum vs. Freiburg
• Stuttgart vs. Borussia Moenchengladbach
• Heidenheim vs. Borussia Dortmund
• Union Berlin vs. RB Leipzig (17:30)

Sunday, February 2

• Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Wolfsburg
• Bayer Leverkusen vs. Hoffenheim (16:30)