Benders used to brotherly face-off
Bayer Leverkusen's Lars Bender will not attach undue importance to the fact that twin brother Sven will be part of the Borussia Dortmund side that visits on Sunday.
By FOX SPORTS staff
The 23-year-olds will once again face off when their teams meet at the BayArena in a clash featuring the Bundesliga's second and third-place sides.
Both sides started out their careers together at 1860 Munich but have since gone their separate ways and Lars, who joined Leverkusen in 2009, admits they are used to taking on one another.
"We play against each other twice a season and that's been the case for several years," he told the club's official website.
"It's not anything out of the ordinary anymore. It's an old story and all games are equally important for Sven and me.
"We haven't got anything new to say about it."
Leverkusen are currently one point above Dortmund, who are looking to defend the title for a second season running, and their combative midfielder admits he is expecting another tough encounter against Jurgen Klopp's side who emerged 3-0 winners when the sides meet in the reverse fixture last year.
"You can always struggle at Dortmund," Lars Bender added. "But we weren't passionate enough then.
"Now we want to hold on to second spot, which we've fought hard for, and obviously not give it up without a fight.
"We can go into the game in confident mood - we're still unbeaten at home at the end of the day. I don't think any opponent looks forward to coming here.
"We want to establish ourselves at the top of the league and build on that against Dortmund."
Leverkusen had a disappointing campaign last season and missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification after finishing fifth in the Bundesliga.