Leverkusen are Bayern's first big test as champs chase 10 in a row | OneFootball

The last time Bayern Munich went into a weekend top of the Bundesliga and lost to the team in second was way back in November 2014 and they still had an eight-point lead after defeat to Wolfsburg.

The last time Bayern Munich went into a weekend top of the Bundesliga and lost to the team in second when it actually mattered was November 2011. A month shy of 10 years ago.

Can Bayer Leverkusen finally end that trend on Sunday?

Die Werkself go into the weekend level with Bayern on points and have looked very impressive under Gerardo Seoane in his first few months in charge.

Leverkusen, like Bayern, have won five of their last six after an opening day draw. The odd one out, a defeat against Borussia Dortmund, came on a day when Seoane’s side scored three but were on the wrong end of the brilliance of Erling Haaland, Julian Brandt and Raphaël Guerreiro. A soft penalty finally saw the points go Dortmund’s way.

That loss really was the odd one out. Leverkusen conceded more that day than in any of their other six games so far combined.

Bayern lost last time out because Kevin Trapp produced save after save for Eintracht Frankfurt.

Lukáš Hrádecký will probably have to produce a similar performance for Leverkusen to claim all three points on Sunday.

You wouldn’t bet against him. The Finn has arguably been the best goalkeeper in Germany so far this season.

That Bayern defeat to Frankfurt can’t serve as much of a blueprint — it really was smash and grab — but Filip Kostić’s winning goal can give Leverkusen a sliver of hope.

If there’s a way to get at Bayern, it’s on the break, with exactly the sort of moves that Seoane’s side have excelled at putting together so far this season.

Florian Wirtz has been in sensational form and drives incredibly well in possession with the decision making to match. The teenager has built a fine understanding with striker Patrik Schick, whose movement in those situations is excellent, while Moussa Diaby has the pace and the technique to challenge any defender one-on-one.

Those three have 14 goals between them in the seven Bundesliga matches so far this season.

If anyone’s up to the task of stopping or outscoring them, it’s Bayern.

Life has started well under Julian Nagelsmann, with no team scoring more than their 24 goals after seven Bundesliga games and they attack at will without leaving too many gaps at the back: only Freiburg (five) have conceded fewer than Bayern’s seven.

That will come as no surprise to anyone.

As impressive as Leverkusen have been this season, and even with Dortmund just one point behind, the chances of a Bundesliga title race still appear to be slim.

Sunday’s game will be crucial if Seoane’s side, or anyone else, fancy their chances of staying the distance and having a shot at denying Bayern a tenth Bundesliga title in succession.