Ballack thinks Bayern v Leverkusen could be decisive even this early

Former Germany captain Michael Ballack attaches great importance to the big Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and champions Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

"It will be a landmark game in terms of how the league is likely to go this season," Ballack, who played for both sides in an illustrious career, told the Kölner Stadtanzeiger newspaper on Friday.

Bayern, who won the title 11 times in a row before Leverkusen's stunning unbeaten campaign last term, have won four games out of four this season and already sit three points above their second-placed rivals.

"If Bayern win it will be very difficult for the competition, not just Leverkusen, to keep up. I'm convinced of that," added Ballack, 48.

"But if Leverkusen win then a lot of things will change at Bayern and their previous performances will appear in a different light."

Ballack is not surprised by Bayern's strong early form under new coach Vincent Kompany.

"I know this from my own personal experience: When a new coach comes in - especially with such a top team - there is a fresh start," he said.

"All the players have to prove themselves to the new coach and that always tickles out extra percentages and should actually always lead to an improvement in performance, at least in the first weeks and months."

Former Bayern star Stefan Effenberg says his former side are favourites against the Werkself.

"Under Vincent Kompany, Bayern just seem a step ahead, more stable at the moment," he told German news website t-online.

"It's a huge opportunity for Bayern. They want to further restore their reputation, which is still somewhat damaged from last season, and make up for a lot of things that didn't work last year."