Alphonso Davies: ‘Today Is Not a Day to Hold Back’ Ahead of Bayern’s Clash with Leverkusen

Bayern Munich are determined to leave nothing to chance as they face local rivals Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash this Wednesday.

The match will be held at Bayern’s home ground, with the return fixture set to take place next week in Leverkusen.

This year, the two teams have met three times, recording two draws and one victory for Leverkusen, who eliminated Bayern from the German Cup last December.

In their last encounter in Leverkusen in February, Bayern displayed an unusual defensive approach, resulting in a goalless draw where they failed to register a single shot on target—only the second time this has happened since 1992.

Bayern defender Alphonso Davies stated on Tuesday that the team is ready to embrace a high-energy performance against Leverkusen.

“We’ve faced them multiple times and understand their style, but tomorrow isn’t the time to hold back or focus solely on defence,” he remarked.

“Especially playing at home, we intend to take the initiative and showcase our intensity and enthusiasm on the pitch.”

Since joining Bayern in 2019, the 24-year-old Canadian has won the Bundesliga every season until the previous one, when Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen became the first team to complete a German domestic season unbeaten.

Davies praised Leverkusen’s “intensity,” noting that their rivalry is “developing into a significant and exciting competition.”

“We haven’t managed to get the upper hand in three encounters this season, but we are aware of that, and it won’t deter us from playing our game and showing our football,” he added.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany tempered Davies’ enthusiasm slightly, reminding everyone that “there are two legs to this tie—tomorrow isn’t all or nothing.”

“We are at home. Anything can happen when we play here.”

Kompany also confirmed that Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who missed Friday’s match against Stuttgart due to injury, will be fit to play against Leverkusen with “100 per cent” certainty.