Today at 2:45 p.m. ET, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Sociedad square off in 2013 UEFA Champions League action live from Bayarena, Germany. The game can be live streamed here.
Leverkusen will once again look to Stefan Kiessling as its goal scoring threat when they host Sociedad this afternoon. Kiessling has been the most potent scorers on the team this season and the top scoring German despite being overlooked by his national team after netting 18 goals in 2013 and five so far in the current season.
Despite his success, Kiessling will most likely not be on the German national team, the logic to which escapes his teammate and team captain Simon Rolfes
"I can't understand it," Rolfes said per ESPN. "Kies belongs there without a shadow of a doubt. If [the national coach] were to call him up, then that would be a sign that excellent performances do get rewarded."
Kiessling is a big reason why Leverkusen has made its best start ever to the Bundesliga season. While Kiessling has had a strong campaign and remains one of the team's go-to players, midfielder Stefan Reinartz hopes to breakthrough soon, and added that despite the team coming off of a 4-2 loss to Manchester United in its opening group game, they aren't worried about the pressure.
"I can play 90 minutes every three or four days," Reinartz said, according to ESPN. "We want this pressure. To be honest, I think the word pressure sounds negative. My feeling is one of anticipation and motivation. We've waited long enough to have another home game in the Champions League."
Meanwhile, visiting Real Sociedad comes into this contest reeling, having lost six games in a row. Coming off a 2-0 group-opening loss to Shakhtar Donetsk, midfielder David Zurutuza is hoping the Champions League can help boost his squad's spirits after some recent sluggish games.
"If we win it and play a good game, then this could give us a lift to face Rayo (Vallecano)," he said via ESPN. German sides are physically strong, fast and technically good, but we like this kind of open football."
Leverkusen looks to stay strong on the wings of Kiessling while Real Sociedad is desperate to get one in the win column as both these clubs look for wins this afternoon in Germany.
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