Sat Feb 15 17:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Leverkusen Eyes Bundesliga Upset Against Bayern Munich

**Leverkusen, Germany** – Despite an eight-point deficit, Bayer Leverkusen maintains hope for a Bundesliga title defense ahead of Saturday’s crucial clash with league leaders Bayern Munich, according to club legends Jens Nowotny and Reiner Calmund.

Nowotny, a former German international, believes the eight-point gap doesn’t accurately reflect the true power balance. He points to Leverkusen’s superior performance in the Champions League (qualifying for the round of 16) and DFB-Pokal (reaching the semi-finals) as evidence. He considers both teams to be “definitely on par” when considering the entire season. He also highlighted the potential impact of Champions League results on both teams’ league campaigns. A Bayern exit could be more detrimental than a Leverkusen elimination, he suggested.

Calmund, a former Leverkusen manager, while acknowledging the challenging gap, emphasized the importance of a Leverkusen victory to keep their title hopes alive. A win, he argues, would not only reduce the points difference but also boost the team’s morale and confidence. He playfully predicted a 2-1 win for Leverkusen.

Nowotny sees the current situation as a significant challenge for Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, urging him to adapt and find solutions. The match promises to be a captivating encounter, with both teams eager to claim victory.

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