BERLIN (AFP) – Returning RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner said his side have the quality to “annoy” perennial Bundesliga title winners Bayern Munich this season, despite his side’s poor start.
While both Bayern and Borussia Dortmund have won two from two to start the campaign, the winless chasing pack – Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen – have managed just three points between them.
Leipzig, who travel to unbeaten Union Berlin this evening, sit in 11th after two draws.
Leipzig picked up their first piece of silverware with a German Cup win in May and were expected to challenge Bayern for the title this year – an expectation solidified by Werner’s return from Chelsea.
Werner, who scored the opener in Leipzig’s 2-2 home draw with Cologne, said he feels Leipzig have the quality to threaten Bayern over the length of the season.
Speaking on Real Madrid and Germany star Toni Kroos’ Einfach mal Luppen podcast, Werner said “of course it will be difficult” to stop Bayern winning their 11th straight crown, but insisted his side were good enough to pose a challenge.
“As we’ve seen in many leagues it is possible for another team to become champions,” he said.
“I think we have enough quality to annoy Bayern and Dortmund during the season.”
In six seasons since being promoted to the Bundesliga in 2016-17, Leipzig have finished twice on three occasions.
“We have a great squad which can really become something great… We can achieve a lot with the team this season – also with an eye on the (Bundesliga) title.”
Union Berlin’s Stadion An der Alten Foersterei has not been a happy hunting ground for Leipzig, with the away side winning just once from five attempts, with one draw.
While the off-season arrival of Sadio Mane justifiably commanded the summer headlines at Saebener Strasse, since the season started the spotlight has well and truly shone on forward Jamal Musiala.
