Leverkusen four times in six weeks? Bayern threatened by schedule madness | OneFootball

FC Bayern are facing an explosive and curious constellation in the coming weeks. Bayer 04 Leverkusen of all teams, their great national rivals of the past two years, could become a permanent fixture on the Munich schedule several times within a very short space of time. Four matches in just six weeks – a scenario that is anything but impossible at present

Since the draw for the DFB Cup semi-finals on Sunday evening, it has been clear that the record champions‘ path to Berlin will lead via Leverkusen. On 22 or 23 April – the exact date has yet to be determined – the two teams will meet directly in the battle for a ticket to the final. An explosive encounter is guaranteed

But that’s not all: the two teams will meet in the Bundesliga at the BayArena on 14 March. Bayern won the first leg at the Allianz Arena with a commanding 3-0 victory. The second leg is now likely to take on a completely different dynamic – especially in view of the potential further clashes

Champions League as additional fuel

However, the situation would be truly bizarre if the two heavyweights also faced each other in the Champions League. Munich will meet one of the winners of the clashes between Leverkusen and Olympiakos Piraeus and Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta Bergamo in the round of 16. After the 2-0 win in the first leg of the play-off against the Greek side, there is a good chance that the Werkself will make it through to the last 16

Should Bayern actually face Leverkusen, there would be a 50 per cent chance of two more head-to-head matches. UEFA has scheduled the first legs of the round of 16 for 10 and 11 March, with the second legs to follow on 17 and 18 March. In an extreme case, Bayern would therefore face Leverkusen three times within a week – twice in the top flight and once in the Bundesliga. The cup semi-final would come around six weeks after a potential first Champions League clash

Déjà vu from the previous season

photo: Getty Images

Such an accumulation would not be entirely new. The two teams already met several times within a month last season, when they crossed paths in the last 16 of the Champions League, flanked by a Bundesliga clash. The intensity of that phase is still fresh in the memory

However, a four-legged clash within six weeks would take the rivalry to a whole new level. Tactical adjustments, psychological effects and the question of the better squad width would play a central role. It would be a feast for fans, but an extreme challenge for coaches and players

It is still only a possibility, but the starting position is clear and the fixture list could soon provide FC Bayern with one of the craziest constellations in the club’s recent history.