Ivorian son reflects Leverkusen's confidence: "We can go to Bayern and win"

While Bayer Leverkusen is currently in top form, their star defender, Jonathan Tah, has been in excellent form since the beginning of the calendar year. Following Leverkusen's 5-1 victory against Darmstadt and ahead of the big upcoming game against Bayern, Leverkusen's defensive leader boldly states the team's ambition.

Tah has been one of the key figures in Leverkusen's upward trajectory. His consistency at a high level has now been rewarded by Germany's national team coach, Hansi Flick, with the first call-up in over a year.

Bayer's Nigerian takes Bundesliga by storm

The 27-year-old centre-back has been playing at Leverkusen since 2015 when he arrived from his boyhood club Hamburger SV. A son of an Ivorian father and a German mother, he has excelled with Bayern 04 and has been on the fringes of the national team since 2016, playing a handful of games every year. He's now back in the fold for the first time since June 2022, and they are set to face Japan and France. The defender acknowledged that he had to be patient.

"I'm happy to be part of the German national team still. I had to wait for it a bit longer, to be honest. I'm going there with the same energy I had when I left, and I'll give everything to make both games as successful as possible."

Bayer Leverkusen are flying at the minute. With the maximum of nine points, but also with the class and composure they showed against Leipzig (3-2), Gladbach (3-0), and now Darmstadt. Xabi Alonso's team has reached a new level - and Tah is enjoying it.

"We're doing really well, playing very mature football, very clear. Our idea comes across clearly, and we impose it on every opponent. It's a lot of fun."

So much fun that Tah is not bothered by his failed move to the Premier League. England was indeed the defender's stated goal before the last transfer window. However, his ambition was to play for a top team, which didn't materialize in the Premier League. Instead, he is playing for Bundesliga challengers.

"I already noticed during the preseason what is happening here and developing. You can also see it in our league games. I'm happy to be able to play in such a team, especially under this coach. Again, it's a lot of fun right now."

This Bayer side plays differently. The team is showing a high level of maturity, partly due to the many solid and experienced new signings. This season, many things seem possible for Bayer. How much will be revealed next Friday in Munich when the Werkself visits the Bundesliga holders. However, Tah and his teammates approach the trip to Munich with a new self-assuredness.

"I have the feeling that we are very solid. The team has changed. We have more experienced players. We are doing so well right now, and we should go to Munich with as much self-confidence as possible - we are allowed to have that - and with the ambition to win there."

A clear statement. This new Bayer rise is palpable, both for an outside observer and for the team's players. Bayer Leverkusen and Tah are ready for anything.

BUNDESLIGA - MATCHDAY 3

Friday

Dortmund- Heidenheim 2-2 (2-0)

/Brandt 7, Can 15 pen - Dinkci 61, Kleindienst 82 pen/

Saturday

Augsburg - Bochum 2-2 (1-1)

/Beljo 35, Demirovic 62 - Asano 45+3, 64/

Bayer Leverkusen - Darmstadt 5-1 (1-1)

/Boniface 21, 61, Palacios 49, Hofmann 67, Hlozek 83 - Vilhemsson 25/

Hoffenheim - Wolfsburg 3-1 (1-1)

/Brooks 45+2, Beier 60, Skov 74 - Tomas 36/

Stuttgart - Freiburg 5-0 (3-0)

/Fuhrich 8, 62, Guirassy 17, 19, Millot 75/

Werder Bremen - Mainz 4-0 (1-0)

/Ducksch 4, Stage 53, Bittencourt 82, Njinmah 84/

M' gladbach - Bayern 1-2 (1-0)

/Itakura 30 - Sane 58, Tel 87/

Sunday

16.30: (2.15) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.40) Koln (3.40)

18.30: (3.20) Union Berlin (3.50) RB Leipzig (2.35)

***odds are subject to change