Munich seek victory in Leverkusen topper despite Davies injury

Alphonso Davies is the latest addition to Bayern Munich's injury list ahead of their Bundesliga table topper at leaders Bayer Leverkusen but the champions are determined to get a result there on Saturday.

Bayern said that left back Davies suffered a ligament strain in his left knee during Bayern’s 3-1 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday and faces "a spell on the sidelines" which makes him all but unlikely to feature in the big match.

Joshua Kimmich could be among those missing as well in Leverkusen who are unbeaten in all competitions but only lead Bayern by two points, and also face a tough German Cup quarter-final on Tuesday against VfB Stuttgart.

Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel said he had "no words" after the Davies setback but he has all week to prepare his team for the Leverkusen task because they were eliminated in the Cup by third division Saarbrücken.

Bayern have not been glorious lately, including against Gladbach, but goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer said that will mean nothing come Saturday.

"Regardless of the results in the run-up - many things don't mean anything in such games. The momentum decides. We will see who is better on the day," Neuer said.

"Now it is a little different than in the past because we are the chasing team. Of course we want to change that, best with three points in Leverkusen.

"Everyone who wears the Bayern shirt is waiting for these kind of games. That is the case in the Champions League, and in most games against [Borussia] Dortmund. And such a duel wirh Leverkusen, who are playing a very good season, is a big highlight which we are looking forward to."

Tuchel vowed that "we will go to Leverkusen with the clear aim to inflict a first defeat on them and leapfrog them."

Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said: "It's incredibly exciting that two clubs are currently doing so well and putting up such a fight. That's excellent for the league.

"I wouldn't necessarily see us as favourites. After all, we are now in the chasing pack. So it's clear who the favourites are," he said, adding that they feel "quite comfortable" with that role.