Ibrahim Maza is flattered by comparisons to Bayer Leverkusen "legend" Florian Wirtz but still feels he has a way to go to live up to that billing.

Ahead of Leverkusen's trip to Hoffenheim on Sunday, Carles Martinez's side sit fourth in the Bundesliga, having bounced back from an underwhelming start with three straight wins.

And Maza has been key to their revival, having struck up an excellent relationship with striker Patrik Schick – the duo both assisted goals for one another in a 2-1 win over Freiburg last weekend.

Maza's assist for Schick last week came after he showed some lovely footwork to get past two defenders near the corner flag, leading to comparisons with Wirtz.

Wirtz – who has struggled somewhat since joining Liverpool for €138m (£116m) last year – scored 57 goals and provided 62 assists in 197 appearances for Leverkusen, helping them win an unbeaten Bundesliga and DFL-Pokal double in 2023-24.

"I don't know. It is still the same, of course. Flo is an incredible player, a real Leverkusen legend and everything," Maza said in an interview with DFL.

"I am still trying to follow my own path and be my own player. 

"I think we are a little different in terms of our playing styles, but of course, it is nice to be able to follow in the footsteps of such a great player. I hope that one day I can play at his level and achieve that.

"It does make me proud, of course, that I can take on that kind of responsibility for such a big club. 

"At the same time, I try to block it out and simply focus on what happens on the pitch, keep doing my own thing, and enjoy playing."

Hoffenheim coming up  https://t.co/MD4BScYtgW

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) October 23, 2026

Sunday's opponents Hoffenheim are 13th in the Bundesliga with six points, though they did win 2-1 at Borussia Monchengladbach last time out in the competition, while

Thursday's 3-0 Europa League victory over Lyon provided a further boost for Christian Ilzer's side.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hoffenheim – Alexander Prass 

On his 57th Bundesliga appearance, against Borussia Monchengladbach, Prass recorded a goal and an assist in the same game for the very first time in the competition.

He could now be directly involved in at least one goal in consecutive Bundesliga matches for the first time, though he has yet to register a goal involvement in four previous appearances against Leverkusen in the competition.

Bayer Leverkusen – Ibrahim Maza

Maza was involved in two goals in a Bundesliga game for only the second time during Leverkusen's 2-1 win against SC Freiburg last time out (one goal, one assist), following his brace against Heidenheim in November 2025. 

No other player has created as many chances from open play in the Bundesliga this season as Maza (15).

MATCH PREDICTION: BAYER LEVERKUSEN WIN

Since the start of 2023, Hoffenheim have lost more Bundesliga games against Leverkusen than against any other opponent (five). 

However, Hoffenheim won both league meetings between the sides last season and could now celebrate three consecutive Bundesliga victories against them for the first time.

But Leverkusen are the Opta supercomputer's slight favourites, given the contrasting runs of form both teams are on.

Hoffenheim have lost two of their three home games in the Bundesliga this season (W1) – as many as they lost in their final 14 home matches of the previous campaign.

On the other hand, since matchday two of this Bundesliga season, Leverkusen have collected 13 of a possible 15 points – the most of any team in that period. 

Other than Leverkusen, only Hamburger SV went into matchday six on a three-match winning run. Leverkusen last celebrated four consecutive Bundesliga victories one year ago (four in September and October 2025).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Hoffenheim – 34.7%

Bayer Leverkusen – 41%

Draw – 24.3%