In recent years, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have been the main contenders for the Bundesliga title. However, this season, Bayer Leverkusen is emerging as a strong contender for their first-ever German championship.
Bayern has dominated German football, winning the last 11 Bundesliga titles consecutively. Yet, their reign seems to be coming to a close as Xabi Alonso’s team demonstrates exceptional form this campaign.
Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool, Bayern, and Real Madrid midfielder, has orchestrated an extraordinary season for Bayer Leverkusen. Currently, they sit atop the Bundesliga table with an impressive 11-point lead.
It’s hardly surprising that the 42-year-old has emerged as a strong candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield when he departs this summer.
However, what transpires in the summer remains uncertain. For now, Alonso’s sole focus is on securing Bayer Leverkusen’s inaugural Bundesliga title, which would mark his first trophy as a head coach.
Their journey to potential glory took another stride forward last night with a 2-1 triumph at home against Mainz. Leverkusen took an early lead through former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, but Mainz quickly equalized courtesy of Dominik Kohr.
In the second half, Robert Andrich restored the hosts’ lead, while Mainz suffered a setback when Jessic Ngankam was shown a red card for a challenge on Xhaka, reducing them to 10 men.
Securing the three points, Leverkusen has now set a new Bundesliga record that is unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon.
This victory extends Alonso’s team’s unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga to 33 games, surpassing a record previously held by Bayern Munich.
Following the victory, Alonso emphasized that the crucial aspect was securing the three points. With 11 games remaining in the domestic season, Leverkusen holds an 11-point lead over Bayern, who are set to face RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena today.
According to The Athletic, Alonso stated, “It wasn’t our finest performance, but securing the three points is paramount. We can savor the weekend before refocusing. Consistent brilliance isn’t always feasible.
“The match was highly intense. Mainz brought considerable energy, which we had to acknowledge. We were prepared for the challenge, yet it proved demanding.”
