Granit Xhaka has warned Bayern Munich that Bayer Leverkusen want to "annoy" them when the two sides clash this weekend.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Leverkusen and Bayern meet this weekend for the first time since Xabi Alonso's side won the Bundesliga last season. Leverkusen, of course, were unbeaten throughout the league season but have already tasted defeat this season and sit second, three points behind Bayern.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
By comparison, Vincent Kompany's side have been in remarkable form at the start of the season, winning all four of their fixtures thus far and scoring 16 goals in the process. Nevertheless, Xhaka is confident he and his team-mates can once again haunt Bayern.
WHAT XHAKA SAID
Xhaka told Sky Germany: "We want to be at the top for as long as possible! Of course, we have our goals internally, but externally it's a different story. With the motto "take it one game at a time," we made good progress last year and will continue with this motto this year. We have a block of three to four games that the coach always talks about. Now the next step is Bayern Munich, and we want to annoy them a bit—just like last season."
Asked about the pressure of being champions, Xhaka added: "This is a Champions League opponent. That's what the coach told us today. We obviously know how much potential Bayern have and what new ideas the new coach, Vincent Kompany, will bring to their game. We have of course analysed their games, and you can see that a lot of things are working very well. Almost every shot is a goal for them. Their offence is very strong, and they concede fewer goals in defence. It's definitely going to be a top game, and we're ready for it.
"The pressure is not necessarily greater, but different. If you become champions and cup winners, the pressure on our side would obviously have to be a bit higher, but I have the feeling that we can handle the pressure very well and have the experience to do so. The young players are also doing very well. A game in Munich against Bayern is always something special, and we are looking forward to it."
WHAT NEXT?
Leverkusen play Bayern this weekend. They will aim to inflict a first defeat of the season on the Bavarian giants.
Chelsea are looking to offload Armando Broja from his loan at Everton after the striker picked up an injury, and have offered two players in return to the ToffeesKiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been offered to Chelsea on loanChelsea are reportedly offering Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall or Carney Chukwuemeka to Everton as the Toffees look to end Armando Broja's loan prematurely.Everton are itching to cut ties wi...
Real Madrid have reportedly joined the race to sign in-demand Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran.Aston Villa star Duran in demand PSG and Al-Nassr interested in him Real Madrid join race for strikerWHAT HAPPENED?According to Foot Mercato, Los Blancos have joined the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Al-Nassr in chasing Duran's signature. But the 21-year-old will not come cheap as he is said to be rated...
Milan announce Walker signing from Man CityKyle Walker joined AC Milan on a loan deal, which runs until the end of the season, and includes an option to buy him for around £4 million.Neymar heading home! Santos & Al-Hilal near agreementNeymar appears to be inching closer to a fairytale return to Santos and his father is reportedly set to earn a stake in the club.Man Utd hold Nkunku talks ...
Several Serie A clubs are interested in Casadei, with Lazio already making an £11.5 million bid, per Gianluca Di Marzio.Since joining Chelsea in 2023, Casadei has made only 17 appearances and had loan spells at Reading and Leicester City. To fill the gap in the squad, Chelsea is pushing to sign Hellas Verona's Reda Belahyane for £12.6 million.Belahyane has made 20 appearances in Serie A ...
The Gunners want to sign a new attacker to lead their attack, someone who is more prolific than their current options at the club.While Kai Havertz has regained his form by scoring two goals in the last two games, against Aston Villa and Dinamo Zagreb, there is a need for a lethal presence in front of goal for Mikel Arteta's team.The long term injury suffered by Gabriel Jesus has made matter worse...
Premier Injuries still say it will be months before the England international returns to the Gunners first-team, so there is a real need for Mikel Arteta to get his feet wet in terms of transfers this month.Arsenal want Semenyo to replace Bukayo SakaIndeed, Arteta noted the severity of Saka's injury, leaving his side light in the area of the pitch where the 23-year-old does his best work.Wolves' M...
The Red Devils have struggled in front of goal this season with both their strikers; Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failing to make an impact this season.Both of them have scored a combined five Premier League goals this season and their poor form is one of the main reasons why they are having a disastrous season.As they search for a new striker in the transfer market, they have identified Lill...
Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to leave Arsenal before the January transfer window shuts with Borussia Dortmund ready to make a move for the left-back.Dortmund are in the market for a new left-back and are believed to have put Zinchenko at the top of their wanted list after missing out on Chelsea's Renato Veiga.Chelsea have agreed to allow Veiga to move to Juventus on loan for the rest of the sea...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Man Utd 2-1 Ranger last night lolRuben Amorim I'm running out of Oil money Josko Gvardiol (22) is currently younger than Phil Foden (24) This I understand rodrygo bc i would try to impress her every game too Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
MANCHESTER UNITED fans made jokes at their club's expense after taking a look at Amad's dodgy training kit.United have had troubles on and off the pitch this season.Amad Diallo's training top featured an upside-down crestThey are 13th in the Premier League table having lost 10 of their 22 league games, with Ruben Amorim even smashing a TV following their defeat to Brighton at the weekend.Off the p...
- 1 Benjamin Sesko has already said yes to Arsenal
- 2 Man City £190m transfer spree
- 3 Joao Felix eyed by ‘very interested club’
- 4 Ex-Bundesliga star's WAG has intimate tattoo of footballer husband
- 5 Shaun Murphy copies Lionel Messi as he sleeps with Masters trophy
- 6 Teen arrested after shock abuse against Kai Havertz's wife Sophia
- 7 Daily Laugh - Chelsea 's back !!
- 8 Man Utd 'consider Jack Grealish transfer'
- 9 Mourinho makes drastic career change and launches 'The Special One' wine
- 10 Transfer news and rumours LIVE