Preview: Can Bayern beat the only opponent they have failed to do away with this season?
Ulirich Hoeness will perhaps not be available in the stands to see his beloved Bayern take on Bayer Leverkusen. This is because the former Bayern President is set to serve a prison term for tax evasion. Needless to say, some changes are going on at Bayern at the boardroom level. Also, it is perhaps needless to say that the players and the staff have been affected by the sudden departure of a man considered Mr Bayern.
Now, Pep Guardiola’s men, after a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in midweek which saw them progress to the last eight in Europe, must get the job done against Leverkusen. Leverkusen lost out to PSG despite having the chance to take a lead via a Simon Rolfes penalty at 1-1. Nonetheless, the 2-1 loss was respectable compared to the first leg score of 0-4.
This clash is of course set to pit the Bundesliga’s first and third best sides against each other, at least according to the table after 24 match-days and despite Leverkusen’s poor form (one point from previous four league matches).
Both sides have not too much to worry about in terms of injuries. Holger Badstuber is in the path to recovery for Bayern. Jens Hegeler and Robbie Kruse are both out for Leverkusen. Otherwise, Lars Bender and Emir Spahic are both available for Die Werkself again. Bayer 04, in the previous meeting between these two sides, somehow managed to hold a rampaging Bayern to a 1-1 draw. Toni Kroos, who had a loan spell with Leverkusen, opened the scoring in that match only to see his goal cancelled out within a minute by Sidney Sam at the opposite end.
Can Bayern manage to settle the score with Leverkusen? Or will Hoeness’ predicament cause unforeseen problems?
Where to watch the match: Live Streams, Live Scores, Start Times, TV Channels
Watch Bayern München vs Bayer Leverkusen live on Saturday, March 15, 2014
In Canada at 13:30 ET on GolTV Canada
In the UK at 17:30 GMT on BT Sport 2
In the USA at 13:30 ET on GolTV USA
In Germany, viewers can tune into Sky Bundesliga HD 1 amongst other networks to watch the match.
For the complete TV listings and live scores upon kick-off, visit the Bayern-Leverkusen match page.
