For me am even surprised that they still manage to secure second place in the bundesliga title race because I was expecting most of the teams to have actually gotten used to their style of play and then maybe tackle them because they did something unbelievable last season and repeating such is the hardest task ever for any team so seeing them go head to head with Bayern is quite interesting too.
Maintaining second place in the standings after being able to become champions in the Bundesliga last season is definitely a good effort for Leverkusen because in terms of becoming champions in a row it is always not easy for any team because it always requires maximum effort. I also see Leverkusen trying very hard this season even though it is not certain to become champions because there are still points gaps to be made, but for this season I also salute Munich's efforts with their new coach.
It is indeed not easy to maintain what they have achieved, so being in second place in my opinion is good enough for them, yes, although defending the title is the best.
Previously, after last season ended and they managed to win the title, one of the questions that made me curious was whether they would be able to maintain their good game or not, because usually teams that are not used to winning and then they become champions, in the following season they will decline significantly.
One of the things that makes them still able to survive in my opinion is because Xabi is willing to stay on this team, so he can maintain harmony and that is capital for them.
whether bayern Leverkusen win the bundesliga title this season or not I think that they should be commended for the way that they have been consistent with their form performing at the highest level even this season because in the game of football you don't win always and every team has it peak so this season Leverkusen is not it their peak but has given bayern munich a good run for their money by challenging them in the league title, so to me even though Leverkusen could not defend their title they have done very well