Overview
- Bayern named a rotated side with Neuer behind Laimer, Kim, Tah and Guerreiro, Kimmich and Goretzka in midfield, and Gnabry, Tom Bischof and Lennart Karl behind striker Nicolas Jackson.
- Regular forwards Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz were all on the bench as Bayern protected a season-opening run of 14 wins in 14 competitive matches.
- Dayot Upamecano and Aleksandar Pavlovic were rested, with Minjae Kim and Leon Goretzka stepping into the starting lineup.
- Leverkusen made three switches after their extra-time cup win, restoring Jarrell Quansah to the back line and starting Ernest Poku, with Claudio Echeverri selected despite reports his Manchester City loan could be shortened.
- Coach Kasper Hjulmand said no team is unbeatable; the choices for both sides were influenced by midweek Champions League matches, with Bayern visiting PSG on Tuesday and Leverkusen heading to Benfica.