Bayer Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand has quickly revitalized the 2023-24 double winners, guiding them through what many expected to be a rebuilding year following a turbulent summer and a brief, ill-fated spell under Erik ten Hag.

Leverkusen host Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, staking their claim as the Bundesliga’s leading challengers behind runaway leaders Bayern Munich. Hjulmand’s influence was most recently evident in Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League triumph over Manchester City.

While Pep Guardiola rotated his squad heavily, Leverkusen contended with injuries and suspensions, fielding seven teenagers on the bench and featuring only four starters who were at the club last season.

Following an unbeaten league and cup double two seasons ago, Leverkusen’s summer of 2025 upheaval was widely reported. Alongside the departure of coach Xabi Alonso, the architect of the club’s first Bundesliga title in their 120-year history, several key players exited, including Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jonathan Tah, Jeremie Frimpong, and Lukas Hradecky.

Alonso’s replacement, former Manchester United manager Ten Hag, was dismissed after just two league matches, leaving Hjulmand little time to settle in. Despite integrating a squad featuring a dozen new arrivals, he has guided Leverkusen to seven wins and one draw in nine league games. Across all competitions, the team has lost only twice—against European giants Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

“We’re building a new team here. We have a vision, and we’re on the right track,” Hjulmand said after the City victory. “We’ve got great potential. We can still improve. Wins like this are fuel for our development.”

Traditionally Germany’s second force, Dortmund have recently been overshadowed by Leverkusen. While they cruised to a 4-0 home win over Villarreal midweek, they have struggled against top opposition this season, suffering defeats to Bayern and City and drawing with Juventus, RB Leipzig, and Stuttgart. The sides meet again three days after Saturday’s league clash in the German Cup last 16 in Dortmund.

One to Watch: Lennart Karl

Bayern Munich’s 17-year-old attacking midfielder Lennart Karl has made a strong early impression at the top level. Karl scored in Saturday’s 6-2 league victory over Freiburg and again in Wednesday’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to Arsenal—Bayern’s first loss of the season.

Blessed with pace and a keen eye for goal, Karl received high praise from veteran forward Thomas Muller.

“Lennart is playing with refreshing energy, scoring goals, and making important contributions,” Muller told RTL. “You can see he enjoys improving while also having fun on the pitch. He’s finding a good balance.”

Key Stats

8 – Eintracht Frankfurt striker Jonathan Burkardt has eight goals in 10 league matches this season, including three braces, but has been ruled out for the rest of the year with a calf injury.

12 – Michael Olise has contributed six goals and six assists in 11 league games.