Vincent Kompany relishing ‘top match’ as Bayern Munich face Bayer Leverkusen

Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany is expecting a “top match” as he attempts to make it fourth time lucky against Bayer Leverkusen in Wednesday’s Champions League clash.

Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga champions are on a six-game unbeaten run against the Bavarians, which includes three meetings overseen by the former Belgium defender since arriving from Burnley last summer.

Bayer won December’s DFB Pokal meeting at the Allianz Arena 1-0 thanks to a goal from ex-Southampton forward Nathan Tella, having also secured a 1-1 league draw there in September.

Alonso’s side did not even face a shot on target as last month’s reverse Bundesliga fixture ended 0-0, with attention now turning to the first leg of this all-German Champions League round of 16 tie.

“It’s still a match between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen,” the Bayern boss said. “Xabi Alonso and I can’t use the ball.

“Both teams have a lot of individual quality and a lot of intensity. The three previous matches have been three different stories. They’ve always gone all the way, there hasn’t been much in them.

“Leverkusen have earned the right to be seen as top opponents. We’re looking forward to the match because it’s a top match.

“Every match against them has really come down to details. The three matches against them have all been very different.

“I don’t expect any big difference in these two matches, but you never know. We don’t want to give too much away.”

Bayern midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic will be absent through illness for a first leg at the Allianz Arena that Kompany says is “not all or nothing”.

“It definitely plays a role,” he said of the two-legged tussle. “You can’t lose sight of it. We’re playing at home tomorrow, which also needs its own mentality.

“Of course, we have the same demands away from home but there are factors that play a role.

“Tomorrow is not all or nothing, we mustn’t forget that there are two games. But we’re at home tomorrow, where something special can always happen.”

Bayern sit eight points ahead of second-placed Bayer at the top of the Bundesliga heading into a tie Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah is excited for.

“A top team with lots of experience in this competition,” he said of Wednesday’s hosts. “There will definitely be two different games.

“Away there will be moments where the opposition perhaps has more control.

“Then we have to show that defensive work can also be fun. They will be challenging games but that’s exactly what we’re looking forward to.

“We don’t have to fear any team as we’ve already shown often enough. And we want to show that again now.”