Beating Man U again

By David Wilcock
March 26 2002

The general feeling after Friday’s Champions League Quarter Final draw was that Liverpool had got the best draw. Bayer Leverkusen are regarded at extreme outsiders, by bookmakers, pundits and fans. But are they really going to be a pushover, as some are predicting? Leverkusen currently sit at the top of the Bundesliga by a solitary point, after beating 1860 Munchen 4-0 at the Bay Arena, the Rhineland side’s home ground.

But the German league, in terms of prestige lie low down the pecking order. Although it counts the current European Champions Bayern Munchen amongst its clubs, financially and technically it is not at Europe’s high table.

So what kind of threat do Liverpool face from The German side? As with most German sides, Leverkusen lack international star names such as are seen littering teams from the big three: La Liga, Serie A and the Premiership. They do boast a number of German internationals. Strikers Oliver Neuville and Ulf Kirsten, midfielder Carsten Ramelow and centre-back Jens Nowotny are all seasoned internationals who will be gracing the pitches of Japan and South Korea this summer.

No matter what the condition of the German national team post September 1 last year, they cannot be discounted. They also have notable attacking options further in their Brazilian Ze Roberto. This attacking quality is made clear by their domestic tally of 67 goals, 13 more than their nearest rival. However, they have also let in 31, more than any of the other top 5. This likens them to our very own Manchester United in terms of attacking outlook with a less than watertight back line.

Leverkusen were in by no means an easy group, but again their form was patchy. Resounding wins home and away against Deportivo and a home 3-1 win over Juventus were partnered by heavy defeats by the Italians in Turin and Arsenal in London. Again, they were heavyweights going forward but bantamweights at the back. Eleven goals scored in the second phase is impressive but 11 let in tells you they are vulnerable at the back.

So Liverpool’s chances do begin to look good. If we can curb the Germans attacking ideas we have every chance of breaching their defence with our own. There are no easy games at this stage of the season, and to go into the two legs over-confidant would be dangerous.

But we have to be down as favourites for the tie, based on our current good form. We are ideally suited to a two legged tie because we are solid away from home. We have a great opportunity to face either United or Deportivo in the semi-finals and then who knows?

David Wilcock

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